India is making great progress in renewable energy and sustainability through various government initiatives. The country’s energy security is important for economic growth and environmental goals. Several programs have been launched to promote clean energy, strengthen the power grid, and reduce carbon emissions. Some key initiatives include the National Bio Energy Mission, National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM-KUSUM, and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. These efforts reflect India’s commitment to a cleaner and self-sufficient energy future. As of January 2025, India’s total energy capacity from non-fossil fuel sources has reached 217.62 GW.
The Centralized Data Collection and Coordination Wind Initiative, launched in June 2020, is helping to develop India’s wind energy sector by improving data collection and research. This initiative supports project developers by providing accurate wind assessments, allowing them to select the best locations for new wind farms. The National Institute of Wind Energy has installed over 800 wind-monitoring stations across the country and created wind potential maps at different heights. As of January 2025, India’s total wind power capacity has reached 48.16 GW. Enhanced wind resource mapping has helped identify over 50 new wind energy sites and contributed to an additional 10 GW of wind power capacity between 2020 and 2024. The government has also approved a funding scheme of ₹7,453 crore to establish India’s first offshore wind projects, including ₹6,853 crore for a 1 GW offshore wind project along the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu and ₹600 crore for port upgrades.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in January 2023, is focused on making India a leader in green hydrogen production. The mission aims to create a hydrogen-based economy by promoting domestic manufacturing, export opportunities, and infrastructure development. The government has allocated ₹19,744 crore for the initiative, with ₹600 crore set aside for the financial year 2024-25. Three hydrogen production hubs have been established, and companies have been awarded tenders to produce 4.12 lakh tonnes of green hydrogen annually. The government has also introduced financial incentives such as a 50% subsidy on electrolyser manufacturing and hydrogen production. By 2030, India expects to produce 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen, creating six lakh jobs. The country is actively participating in international events like the International Conference on Green Hydrogen and the World Hydrogen Summit 2024 to showcase its progress in this sector.
The National Solar Mission, launched in 2010, is helping India expand its solar energy sector. The mission supports different programs, including the Solar Park Scheme, VGF Schemes, and the Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme, to increase solar power generation. India has achieved significant progress in solar energy, ranking fifth globally in solar power deployment by 2023. The country’s installed solar capacity grew from 9.01 GW in March 2016 to 81.81 GW in March 2024 and further to 97.86 GW by January 2025. The solar potential in India is estimated to be 748.98 GW. There are now 58 solar parks with a total sanctioned capacity of 40 GW, compared to 34 solar parks with 20 GW in 2016. Rooftop solar installations have also seen a significant increase, with capacity reaching 11,503 MW in March 2024. The off-grid solar program has provided solar home lighting systems, street lights, and power plants, supporting rural electrification and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.
The PM-KUSUM Scheme, launched in March 2019, helps farmers by offering financial support to install solar-powered irrigation systems. This initiative reduces carbon emissions and improves energy access in agricultural areas. By December 2024, over 6.1 lakh solar pumps had been installed, compared to 3.3 lakh in December 2021. More than 35 lakh grid-connected agricultural pumps have been solarized, benefiting over four lakh farmers nationwide. The scheme provides a 30% subsidy for installing standalone solar pumps, with a higher subsidy of 50% for North Eastern and hilly regions. From January to November 2024, 11.34 GW of solar capacity was added under this program.
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024, is the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar initiative. It aims to provide rooftop solar panels to one crore households by March 2027, allowing them to generate their electricity and reduce dependence on the power grid. In just ten months, seven lakh rooftop solar installations were completed, averaging 70,000 installations per month, which is ten times higher than before the scheme was introduced. Households participating in the program have seen a 20-30% reduction in electricity bills. States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh have made significant progress, thanks to strong infrastructure and government support. The initiative also introduced the ‘Model Solar Village’ program, with Rs. 800 crore allocated to promote solar adoption in rural areas. Villages with over 5,000 residents can apply for a Rs. 1 crore grant to develop renewable energy solutions and become self-reliant in energy.
India’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainability continues to grow through these initiatives. The government’s focus on wind, solar, and hydrogen energy is helping to create jobs, attract investments, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. These efforts are positioning India as a global leader in clean energy while ensuring a more sustainable and energy-secure future for the country.
