
India installs record 22 GW renewable capacity in H1 2025; solar leads with 18.4 GW: Report
Of the total, 18.4 GW came from solar installations, followed by 3.5 GW of wind and 250 megawatts (MW) of bioenergy. This is the highest-ever renewable capacity addition for any six-month period in the country. The growth was driven by developers rushing to capitalise on the Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) charge waiver, which starts at 25 per cent and increases annually until full implementation in June 2028.
With this, India's total installed renewable energy capacity, including large hydropower, has reached 234 GW. However, fossil fuels continued to account for around 75 per cent of the electricity generated in the first half of 2025, the report noted.
'India installed 22 GW of renewable energy capacity in the first half of 2025, a new record. However, the country is still banking heavily on coal to meet growing power demand, with plans to install an additional 80 GW of new thermal projects. India is not yet undergoing a true energy transition; instead, it is focusing on building up installed capacity from both conventional and renewable energy sources to ensure energy security. Without urgent action to improve affordability and sustainability, particularly through grid upgrades and energy storage, coal will remain central to electrification efforts, jeopardizing progress toward India's net-zero goals,' said Sushma Jagannath, Vice President of Renewables and Power Research at Rystad Energy.
Battery Energy Storage Systems
(BESS) also saw a major expansion, with a total of 7.6 GW allocated to developers. This includes 5.4 GW of collocated solar and BESS projects, and 2.2 GW of standalone BESS—India's highest BESS allocation to date. Average tariffs were ₹4,000 per megawatt-hour (MWh) for standalone BESS and ₹3,208 per MWh for collocated solar-BESS projects.
Jindal Group secured 990 MW of collocated solar and BESS capacity, while NTPC and ReNew each won 900 MW. In the standalone BESS segment, JSW Energy was allocated 625 MW and Reliance Power secured 525 MW of collocated capacity. Adani Green Energy secured a 510 MW collocated solar and BESS project.
State-wise, Rajasthan led the renewable capacity chart with 37.4 GW, including 32 GW of solar and 5.2 GW of wind. Gujarat followed with 35.5 GW (21.5 GW solar and 13.8 GW wind), while Tamil Nadu ranked third with 11.8 GW of wind and 10.6 GW of solar. Tamil Nadu also contributed 1 GW to the national bioenergy total of 11.6 GW. Other key contributors to onshore wind capacity included Karnataka (7.7 GW), Maharashtra (5.3 GW), Andhra Pradesh (4.4 GW), and Madhya Pradesh (3.2 GW).
Rystad Energy stated that the strong BESS auction participation reflects growing attention to grid stability and renewable integration. It expects continued acceleration in the sector due to policy and market signals.
Nuclear power also saw some expansion, with the commissioning of the 700 MW Unit 7 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project. The government has also approved the country's first small modular reactor (SMR) in Bihar.
Despite the growth in renewables and storage, coal remains the mainstay of India's power mix, and its phase-down remains a critical challenge in achieving the country's net-zero targets.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Govt signs MoUs worth Rs5k cr to develop 2,357MW green power
Patna: In a major push for clean energy, the state energy department on Saturday signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with prominent power companies engaged in renewable energy and pumped storage to develop 2,357MW of green power, involving an estimated investment of Rs 5,337 crore. The MoUs were formalised during the launch of two ambitious policies — the Bihar Policy for Promotion of New & Renewable Energy Sources 2025 and the Bihar Policy for Promotion of Pumped Storage Project 2025 — at an event held at Gyan Bhawan. These policies are aimed at fostering green energy development and attracting major investment into the sector. The renewable energy policy is expected to unlock massive opportunities in solar, wind, biomass and newer technologies like green hydrogen and pumped storage systems. Energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav formally launched the two policies in the presence of industries minister Nitish Mishra, additional chief secretary of the industries department Mihir Kumar Singh, energy secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and the managing director of Bihar State Power Generation Company Ltd (BSPGCL) Mahendra Kumar. Several industry leaders and public sector representatives were also present. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Among the MoUs signed, the BSPGCL partnered with L&T to establish a 116MW/241 MWh battery energy storage project at Kajra in Lakhisarai with an investment outlay of Rs 837 crore. It also signed an MoU with NTPC Green to develop a 1,000MW battery energy storage system (BESS) with an estimated cost of Rs 1,500 crore. Separately, the Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA) inked an MoU with Avaada Group to develop 1,000 MW of ground-mounted and floating solar projects, subject to feasibility. BREDA also joined hands with SECI Ltd to set up floating solar and other renewable energy projects, cumulatively valued at Rs 3,000 crore. Addressing a gathering of representatives from leading renewable energy firms, PSUs and industry stakeholders, energy minister Yadav urged investors to look towards Bihar's growing potential. "We want to tap solar energy, a non-conventional source, for Bihar's development. For this, we have introduced a new policy. The policy is aimed at protecting our future generations. We need investment in the renewable energy sector for the country's development and the creation of employment opportunities," Yadav said. He added, "We must reduce carbon emissions to mitigate the effects of global warming and safeguard human lives." Urging industry not to be swayed by isolated incidents of crime, Yadav said, "Come and invest in Bihar. If required, we are open to amending the policy in future. Don't judge the state by a few incidents. Bihar has made significant progress."


Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
PM Modi in Tamil Nadu: UK FTA shows world's trust on India, country's self-confidence, says PM Modi
PM Modi in Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the recent free-trade agreement with the United Kingdom, saying it showed world's trust on India, and the country's self-confidence. Asserting that the government will ensure a developed India, and a developed Tamil Nadu with this self-confidence, the PM laid the foundation stone, and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 4,800 crore in Tuticorin. He reached the city directly after completing his state visit to Maldives. The Prime Minister inaugurated and dedicated to the nation several projects across various sectors that will boost regional connectivity, improve logistics efficiency, strengthen clean energy infrastructure, etc. The PM has inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Tuticorin Airport developed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore. Spread across 17,340 square meters, the terminal will be equipped to handle 1,350 passengers during peak hours and 20 lakh passengers annually. He also dedicated to the nation two strategically significant highway projects. The first is the 4-laning of the 50 km Sethiyathope–Cholapuram stretch of NH-36, developed at more than Rs 2,350 crore under the Vikravandi–Thanjavur corridor. The second project is the 6-laning of the 5.16 km NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road, built at around Rs 200 crore. The PM inaugurated North Cargo Berth–III with a cargo handling capacity of 6.96 MMTPA at VO Chidambaranar Port worth around Rs 285 crore. PM Modi also dedicated three key railway infrastructure projects in southern Tamil Nadu to boost sustainable and efficient connectivity. This includes: electrification of the 90 km Madurai–Bodinayakkanur line, Rs 650 crore doubling of the 21 km Nagercoil Town–Kanniyakumari section (part of the Thiruvananthapuram–Kanniyakumari project), doubling of the Aralvaymozhi–Nagercoil Junction (12.87km) and Tirunelveli–Melappalayam (3.6 km) sections. He also laid the foundation stone for a major power transmission project – the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for evacuation of electricity from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 (2×1000 MW). This project, developed at a cost of around Rs 550 crore, will include a 400 kV (quad) double-circuit transmission line from Kudankulam to the Tuticorin-II GIS substation and associated terminal equipment.
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Business Standard
PM Modi to dedicate projects worth ₹4,800 cr in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate numerous projects besides dedicate to the nation, various developmental initiatives, all totally worth over Rs 4,800 crore, here on Saturday. The PM would inaugurate the new terminal building at the airport, developed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore, and would undertake a walk through the new terminal building, according to an official release. He will dedicate to the nation two strategically significant highway projects - 4-laning of 50 km SethiyathopeCholapuram stretch of NH-36, developed for over Rs 2,350 crore under the VikravandiThanjavur corridor, and 6-laning of the 5.16 km NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road, built at around Rs 200 crore. He would inaugurate North Cargo BerthIII with a cargo handling capacity of 6.96 MMTPA at V O Chidambaranar Port established at a cost of Rs 285 crore, and dedicate three key railway infrastructure projects in southern Tamil Nadu to boost sustainable and efficient connectivity. The projects are--electrification of 90 km MaduraiBodinayakkanur line, doubling of 21 km Nagercoil TownKanniyakumari section, and doubling of AralvaymozhiNagercoil Junction (12.87 km) and TirunelveliMelappalayam (3.6 km) sections. In addition, Modi will lay the foundation stone for the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for the evacuation of electricity from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 (21000 MW). This project, developed at a cost of around Rs 550 crore, will include a 400 kV (quad) double-circuit transmission line from Kudankulam (Tirunelveli dt) to the Tuticorin-II GIS substation and associated terminal equipment. It will play a pivotal role in strengthening the national grid, ensuring reliable clean energy distribution, and meeting the rising power demands of Tamil Nadu and other beneficiary states, it said.