Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday announced that India is now the world’s fourth-largest nation in terms of renewable energy capacity, with 257 GW installed — a threefold increase from 81 GW in 2014.

Speaking at the 8th session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, Joshi said India’s solar power capacity has expanded from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 128 GW at present.

He added, “India is now the world’s 4th-largest in renewable energy capacity. Renewables in 2014 versus now: 81 GW – 257 GW.”

The minister highlighted that the country’s solar module manufacturing capacity has grown sharply from 2 GW in 2014 to 110 GW, while solar cell manufacturing has increased from virtually zero to 27 GW.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India achieved its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of generating 50 per cent of power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources — five years ahead of schedule.

Among the G20 countries, India remains the only nation to have met its 2030 renewable energy goals as early as 2021, Joshi noted, reaffirming the country’s global leadership in climate change mitigation.

India also ranks third worldwide in growth of power generation capacity over the past five years, he said. Globally, solar energy capacity has surpassed 1,600 GW, now accounting for nearly 40 per cent of total renewable energy generation.

“Despite the progress, access remains uneven. In sub-Saharan Africa and small island nations, millions still live without reliable electricity,” Joshi observed, calling for collective global action.

India is contributing $25 million to the Africa Solar Facility under the ISA to help finance mini-grids and distributed renewable energy projects across the continent.

Joshi concluded by inviting all ISA partners to join India in its mission to “engage, energise and empower” a new global energy order built on sustainability and equity.