The renewable energy capacity of India increased by 30,581.31 MW (30.6 GW) in the first half of 2026, a 25% year-on-year growth, as reported by Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy. The rapid expansion highlights India’s rapidly shifting focus towards renewable energy sources, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Adding 26.34 GW of solar capacity between January and June 2026, the minister shared the latest numbers on social media platform X, stating that solar energy continued to be the main driver of capacity increase. With the help of governmental reforms and increasing investments, India’s solar power sector has been experiencing continuous momentum, leading to a 43% year-on-year gain.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) reports that as of June 30, 2026, the total installed renewable energy capacity in India reached 288 GW, which includes big hydro projects. India has reached a major milestone in its clean energy transition, with 52% of the country’s total installed electricity generation capacity coming from renewable sources. With 162 GW of installed capacity, solar energy is still far and away the leader, with wind energy coming in second with 57 GW.
This success is an expansion of India’s record-breaking performance in 2025, when the country’s yearly renewable energy additions increased by about 60%, making it the world’s fastest-growing major renewable energy market (IEA). According to the organization, India added more than 6 GW of wind power in 2025 and about 50 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity, substantially doubling installations from the previous year.
The most recent achievements, according to Pralhad Joshi, “reaffirm India’s commitment to accelerating the clean energy transition, strengthening energy security, and advancing towards a self-reliant and sustainable future.” Such is the case, he added, while highlighting the progress. Green hydrogen programs, battery storage, rooftop solar, wind power, and large-scale solar parks are all ways the government is pushing for more renewable energy.
The International Energy Agency has pointed out that offshore wind development is still facing problems owing to supply chain bottlenecks, cost pressures, and project delays, despite the fast expansion. In order to maintain a consistent supply of electricity, India’s power grid will need to undergo upgrades to its transmission infrastructure, energy storage facilities, and grid modernisation in response to the growing proportion of renewable energy sources.
India has made tremendous strides in the deployment of clean energy, with the installation of 30.6 GW of renewable energy capacity in just six months. India is solidifying its place as one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy markets, thanks to solar power driving the expansion with renewables now accounting for over half of installed power capacity.
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