India Hits 50% Non-Fossil Power Capacity Five Years Early

04 Dec 2025 CW Team

Between April 2023 and October 2025, Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (REIAs) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy—SECI, NTPC, NHPC and SJVN—have issued Letters of Award (LoAs) totalling 67,554 MW. No LoAs have been cancelled. In addition to REIA-led tenders, states are issuing their own renewable procurement bids, and further capacity is being added through Green Energy Open Access and captive routes in the commercial and industrial sectors. Renewable capacity growth is therefore progressing through multiple channels.

With declining costs of solar-plus-storage and dispatchable renewable power, distribution companies and major consumers are increasingly favouring solutions that can supply energy during peak hours. This shift has reduced the demand for plain solar projects. Solar-plus-storage is now being preferred over wind–solar hybrids, due to its ability to provide firm, time-specific output. The Government has accordingly encouraged REIAs to move away from plain solar tenders and instead issue bids for solar with storage, renewable energy configured for peak-hour supply and firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE).

To ensure timely execution of power purchase agreements (PPAs), the Government has urged states to comply with the Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) under the Energy Conservation Act. REIAs have also been advised to aggregate demand from DISCOMs and bulk consumers before designing tenders. Regional workshops with major renewable-procuring states have been held to address operational bottlenecks and accelerate PPA signing.

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) prepares long-term transmission plans based on renewable potential identified by MNRE, giving developers visibility on future network availability. Transmission systems are implemented in phases to match generation additions and optimise network utilisation.

For planning up to 2032, around 47.2 GW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) has been incorporated. BESS deployment enables peak shifting, reduces congestion and enhances transmission asset utilisation. Recent regulations—specifically the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission’s 2025 amendment on Connectivity and General Network Access—mandate granting grid connectivity for both solar and non-solar hours. This measure will improve transmission efficiency and allow additional renewable energy, including co-located BESS, to be integrated without requiring parallel expansion of transmission corridors.

This information was provided in the Rajya Sabha by Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi.

India has achieved 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources—five years ahead of the target set under its Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement. As of 31 October 2025, non-fossil capacity stands at approximately 259 GW, with 31.2 GW added so far in the current financial year. Between April 2023 and October 2025, Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (REIAs) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy—SECI, NTPC, NHPC and SJVN—have issued Letters of Award (LoAs) totalling 67,554 MW. No LoAs have been cancelled. In addition to REIA-led tenders, states are issuing their own renewable procurement bids, and further capacity is being added through Green Energy Open Access and captive routes in the commercial and industrial sectors. Renewable capacity growth is therefore progressing through multiple channels. With declining costs of solar-plus-storage and dispatchable renewable power, distribution companies and major consumers are increasingly favouring solutions that can supply energy during peak hours. This shift has reduced the demand for plain solar projects. Solar-plus-storage is now being preferred over wind–solar hybrids, due to its ability to provide firm, time-specific output. The Government has accordingly encouraged REIAs to move away from plain solar tenders and instead issue bids for solar with storage, renewable energy configured for peak-hour supply and firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE). To ensure timely execution of power purchase agreements (PPAs), the Government has urged states to comply with the Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) under the Energy Conservation Act. REIAs have also been advised to aggregate demand from DISCOMs and bulk consumers before designing tenders. Regional workshops with major renewable-procuring states have been held to address operational bottlenecks and accelerate PPA signing. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) prepares long-term transmission plans based on renewable potential identified by MNRE, giving developers visibility on future network availability. Transmission systems are implemented in phases to match generation additions and optimise network utilisation. For planning up to 2032, around 47.2 GW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) has been incorporated. BESS deployment enables peak shifting, reduces congestion and enhances transmission asset utilisation. Recent regulations—specifically the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission’s 2025 amendment on Connectivity and General Network Access—mandate granting grid connectivity for both solar and non-solar hours. This measure will improve transmission efficiency and allow additional renewable energy, including co-located BESS, to be integrated without requiring parallel expansion of transmission corridors. This information was provided in the Rajya Sabha by Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi.

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Pune To Build Nine Km Link Road Between Highways

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to appoint an expert to plan the development of a nine km long, 60 metre wide road from Khadi Machine chowk to Wadki chowk as an extension to the Katraj-Kondhwa road to link the Mumbai-Satara and Pune-Solapur national highways. The scheme is intended to divert heavy vehicle traffic away from the city and improve access between the two arterial routes. The project has been prioritised by the PMC and forms part of a larger set of schemes in which 19 roads have been identified for development at a combined cost of Rs 9.82 billion (bn) to address c..

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Barabanki Bahraich Six Lane Highway Approved in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved construction of a new six-lane highway linking Barabanki and Bahraich as part of National Highway 927, and the cabinet has cleared the project. The alignment will pass through Mustafabad and Kaiserganj and extend for about 101.5 km, creating a key corridor for local and long-distance movement. The National Highways Authority of India will oversee the work and has signalled the scheme is intended to strengthen regional connectivity and cross-border access to Nepal. The project carries an estimated total cost of Rs 69,690 million, equivalent to Rs 69.69..

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Toll At Kharegaon Likely As Highway Upgrade Nears Completion

A section of the highway at Kharegaon has undergone an upgrade and is approaching completion, and authorities have indicated plans for a toll to be introduced once works finish. The project has focused on strengthening the carriageway, improving drainage and upgrading intersections to enhance safety and capacity. Officials have said the toll will be used to recover construction costs and fund ongoing maintenance. The upgrade included resurfacing of the pavement, widening of certain stretches and installation of modern signage and lighting to reduce accident risk. Contractors completed most ma..