India’s transition toward sustainable energy is gaining strong momentum, but the progress is not evenly spread across the country. The total installed renewable energy capacity has reached 274,688.12 MW, driven mainly by solar, wind, and large hydropower as per the MNRE March 2026 update. While this growth reflects a major shift toward clean energy, it also highlights how a few states are leading the way while others are still catching up.
Solar power continues to dominate India’s renewable energy landscape, contributing 150,260.72 MW to the total capacity. A large portion of this comes from ground-mounted solar projects, which account for 114,873.01 MW. Rooftop solar is also growing steadily, contributing 25,727.65 MW. Wind energy remains the second-largest contributor with 56,094.84 MW, followed by large hydro projects at 51,414.67 MW. Smaller segments like bio-power and small hydro add 11,746.53 MW and 5,171.36 MW, respectively, playing an important role in supporting grid stability and meeting local energy needs.
The data clearly shows that renewable energy development is concentrated in a few regions, especially in western and southern India. Gujarat leads the country with an installed capacity of 47,178.33 MW, accounting for 17.18% of the total. The state has built a strong mix of solar and wind projects, making it a key driver of India’s green energy growth. Rajasthan follows very closely with 47,020.54 MW, contributing 17.12%. Its growth is largely supported by large-scale solar parks, which make use of its vast land and high solar potential.
Maharashtra ranks third with 31,980.63 MW, contributing 11.64%. The state stands out for its strong bio-power capacity, supported by its agricultural sector. Tamil Nadu, with 29,108.27 MW, and Karnataka, with 26,722.76 MW, also play major roles in the southern region. Tamil Nadu is known for its wind energy capacity, while Karnataka has developed a balanced mix of solar, wind, and small hydro projects.
Other states such as Andhra Pradesh (15,980.11 MW), Himachal Pradesh (12,802.96 MW), and Madhya Pradesh (12,182.64 MW) contribute moderately to the total capacity. Himachal Pradesh, in particular, plays a key role in large hydro power due to its favorable geography. Telangana and Uttar Pradesh contribute smaller shares, with 7,930.58 MW (2.89%) and 7,005.23 MW (2.55%), respectively.
At the same time, several smaller states and union territories have very low installed capacities, often below 150 MW. This points to a major gap in the distribution of renewable energy infrastructure across the country. Expanding clean energy projects in these regions will be important for improving energy access and ensuring balanced growth.
Another important trend is the growth of off-grid solar systems under schemes like KUSUM, which have reached 5,798.36 MW. These projects are helping integrate renewable energy into agriculture, especially in states like Haryana and Rajasthan. This suggests that the next phase of growth will focus more on rural areas and decentralized energy systems.
Overall, India is making strong progress in building its renewable energy capacity. However, achieving uniform growth across all regions will be essential to ensure long-term energy security and sustainability.
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