Clean Energy Installed Capacity Outpaces Fossil Fuels in India, New Data Shows

New Delhi, Aug 18 (KNN) India’s clean energy capacity has surpassed fossil fuel capacity for the first time, according to the latest data from Ember and Global Energy Monitor (GEM).

Clean energy capacity has reached 331.7 GW, compared with 302 GW of fossil fuel capacity, giving clean sources a majority share of India’s installed utility power capacity. However, coal continues to account for around 70 per cent of electricity generation and remains central to the power system, Reuters reported.

Solar power has been the main driver of capacity growth. India’s solar capacity has increased from 0.07 GW in 2010 to 211 GW, representing around 33 per cent of total installed utility-scale capacity. Coal capacity stands at 254.4 GW.

Between 2025 and mid-2026, India added 75.5 GW of solar capacity, compared with 3.8 GW of coal capacity. Overall clean capacity increased by nearly 80 GW during the period, while fossil fuel capacity grew by about 5.4 GW.

Coal’s share of India’s installed capacity has declined from nearly 59 per cent in 2014 to around 40 per cent in 2026. Fossil fuels accounted for less than half of installed capacity in 2026, compared with nearly three-quarters in 2000.

The growth in renewable capacity is occurring alongside rising electricity demand. Coal capacity continues to expand to provide dispatchable power, while solar and wind generation depend on weather conditions.

The increasing share of renewable capacity is also creating greater requirements for transmission infrastructure, energy storage and flexible power resources to integrate renewable generation into the grid.

While coal remains the dominant source of electricity generation, the capacity data indicate that renewable energy is becoming increasingly significant in India’s future power mix.

(KNN Bureau)