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India Surpasses Fossil Fuels in Energy Capacity
16 Feb
Summary
- Non-fossil fuel capacity now exceeds fossil fuel-based power for the first time.
- India added over 52 GW of power generation capacity in FY26 up to January.
- Solar power is the main driver, contributing 34,955 MW to new capacity.
India's energy sector has undergone a significant structural transformation, with non-fossil fuel power capacity now exceeding that of fossil fuels for the first time. This milestone was achieved as the country recorded its highest annual capacity addition to date, with 52,537 MW added in fiscal year 26 up to January 31.
The total installed power generation capacity in India now stands at 520,510.95 MW. Non-fossil sources contribute 271,969.33 MW, surpassing the 248,541.62 MW from fossil fuels. This fiscal year alone has seen over 52 GW added, a substantial increase from the previous record.
Renewable energy sources were the primary drivers of this expansion, accounting for 39,657 MW of the new capacity. Solar power led this surge, contributing 34,955 MW, while wind power added 4,613 MW. Large hydropower projects also bolstered clean baseload capacity with 3,370 MW.
A senior power ministry official noted that the recent additions demonstrate the scale and speed of infrastructure development. Solar PV is increasingly recognized as the backbone of new capacity additions, with India's solar capacity experiencing one of the fastest global growth rates annually. Despite this transition, coal is expected to remain a key grid stabilizer for the next decade.
