India’s Power Transition: Rising Electricity Supply, Rapid Renewables, and Green Hydrogen Push
1) Average rural electricity supply improved from 12.5 hours in 2014 to 22.6 hours now, while urban supply improved from 22.1 hours in 2014 to 23.4 hours now.
2) India is among the world’s top three energy consumers, and electricity demand keeps rising with more households, growing industry, and expanding services.
3) Total electricity generation rose from 1,739.09 Billion Units (BU) in 2023–24 to 1,829.69 BU in 2024–25, showing 5.21% growth in one year.
4) For 2025–26, the electricity generation target is 2,000.4 BU, showing continued scaling of supply capacity.
5) As per International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Renewable Energy Statistics 2025, India ranks 4th globally in total installed renewable energy capacity.
6) Installed solar capacity increased from 3 Gigawatt (GW) in 2014 to 140 GW in January 2026, showing rapid expansion of solar power capacity.
7) Non-fossil fuel capacity has crossed 50% of India’s total installed electricity capacity, mainly due to solar growth and other clean sources.
8) India’s total installed wind capacity reached about 54.65 GW by January 2026, making wind a major pillar alongside solar in the renewable mix.
9) PM Surya Ghar enabled 23.9 lakh households to install rooftop solar, adding 7 GW of decentralised clean capacity and increasing consumer-level power generation.
10) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) aims to install 14 lakh standalone solar pumps by 31.03.2026, supporting solar use in farming and reducing diesel use for irrigation.
11) 55 solar parks across 13 states have been approved with a sanctioned capacity of nearly 40 GW, helping faster large-scale renewable deployment.
12) Solar manufacturing is being strengthened through Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme with ₹24,000 crore outlay, aimed at reducing import dependence in solar supply chains.
13) National Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) green hydrogen per year by 2030, with a standard allowing up to 2 kg CO₂e per 1 kg hydrogen output.
14) The Mission expects over ₹8 lakh crore investment, fossil fuel import reduction of over ₹1 lakh crore, and avoidance of nearly 50 MMT greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2030.
15) Government approved ₹19,744 crore outlay till FY 2029–30, including ₹17,490 crore under Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT), and progress includes a first port-based pilot, mobility pilots on 10 routes, and Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme 2025.
Must Know Terms :
1) Renewable Energy Capacity: This means total installed power capacity from renewables like solar, wind, small hydro and bioenergy. India is ranked 4th globally in total installed renewable capacity as per IRENA Renewable Energy Statistics 2025. Rising renewable capacity directly increases clean electricity supply and reduces dependence on coal and imported fuels over time.
2) Non-Fossil Fuel Share: This is the share of total installed electricity capacity coming from non-fossil sources such as solar, wind, hydro and nuclear. India’s non-fossil capacity has crossed 50% of total installed capacity. It signals a cleaner capacity mix, though actual electricity generation share can differ because solar and wind depend on weather and time.
3) Solar Capacity Expansion: Installed solar capacity rose from 3 GW in 2014 to 140 GW by January 2026. This includes large solar parks and rooftop systems. PM Surya Ghar helped 23.9 lakh households add rooftop solar, contributing about 7 GW. Fast solar growth is a key reason non-fossil capacity crossed the 50% mark.
4) Wind Power Capacity: India’s installed wind capacity reached about 54.65 GW by January 2026. Wind is a major renewable pillar along with solar, especially in coastal and high-wind states. Wind helps balance solar because wind generation can be stronger in different seasons and at different times than solar, improving renewable reliability.
5) Green Hydrogen Mission: It targets 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030. The standard mentioned allows up to 2 kg CO₂e emissions per 1 kg hydrogen produced. Expected outcomes include over ₹8 lakh crore investment, over ₹1 lakh crore reduction in fossil fuel imports, and avoidance of nearly 50 MMT greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2030.
6) Production Linked Incentive Scheme: PLI is a manufacturing support scheme where incentives are linked to actual production. For solar manufacturing, the outlay mentioned is ₹24,000 crore to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce import dependence. Stronger domestic manufacturing supports faster solar installation, better availability of modules, and more stable pricing for projects.
MCQ :
1. Average rural electricity supply improved from 12.5 hours in 2014 to:
A) 18.6 hours
B) 20.6 hours
C) 22.6 hours
D) 23.6 hours
2. Average urban electricity supply improved from 22.1 hours in 2014 to:
A) 22.6 hours
B) 23.4 hours
C) 23.9 hours
D) 24.0 hours
3. India is among the world’s top three:
A) Oil exporters
B) Coal producers
C) Energy consumers
D) LNG importers
4. Total electricity generation in 2023–24 was:
A) 1,629.69 BU
B) 1,739.09 BU
C) 1,829.69 BU
D) 2,000.4 BU
5. Total electricity generation in 2024–25 was:
A) 1,739.09 BU
B) 1,829.69 BU
C) 1,929.69 BU
D) 2,000.4 BU
6. The one-year generation growth from 2023–24 to 2024–25 was:
A) 3.21%
B) 4.21%
C) 5.21%
D) 6.21%
7. The electricity generation target for 2025–26 is:
A) 1,900.4 BU
B) 2,000.4 BU
C) 2,040.0 BU
D) 2,100.4 BU
8. India ranks globally in total installed renewable energy capacity at:
A) 2nd
B) 3rd
C) 4th
D) 5th
9. Installed solar capacity increased from 3 GW in 2014 to 140 GW by:
A) January 2024
B) January 2025
C) January 2026
D) January 2027
10. Non-fossil fuel capacity has crossed:
A) 40% of total installed capacity
B) 45% of total installed capacity
C) 50% of total installed capacity
D) 60% of total installed capacity
11. India’s total installed wind capacity reached about 54.65 GW by:
A) January 2024
B) January 2025
C) January 2026
D) January 2027
12. PM Surya Ghar enabled rooftop solar installation for:
A) 13.9 lakh households
B) 18.9 lakh households
C) 23.9 lakh households
D) 29.3 lakh households
13. Rooftop solar added under PM Surya Ghar is:
A) 3 GW
B) 5 GW
C) 7 GW
D) 10 GW
14. PM-KUSUM aims to install standalone solar pumps by 31.03.2026 at:
A) 10 lakh
B) 12 lakh
C) 14 lakh
D) 16 lakh
15. National Green Hydrogen Mission targets green hydrogen per year by 2030 at:
A) 3 MMT
B) 4 MMT
C) 5 MMT
D) 6 MMT
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