India became the world’s third-largest producer of wind and solar power in 2024, overtaking Germany, according to a report published on April 8 by London-based energy think tank Ember. 

Wind and solar output in India nearly doubled over the five years to 2024, rising from 110 TWh to 215 TWh. This sharp increase enabled the country to move ahead of Germany in renewable electricity generation from these sources. While hydro output remained broadly unchanged from five years earlier, nuclear power generation rose by 10 TWh, marking a 21% increase over the same period, Ember said.

India’s power demand expanded by 5% (98 TWh) in 2024, lower than the 7% increase recorded in 2023 but in line with the ten-year average annual growth rate of 5.5%. The country recorded the third-largest increase in electricity demand worldwide.

Clean power generation rose by 32 TWh (+7.4%) in 2024, meeting a third of the year’s increase in electricity demand. 

India posted the fourth-largest rise in solar generation worldwide in 2024, with an 18% jump (20 TWh), surpassing the UK’s total solar output. The country added a record 25 GW of renewable energy capacity in FY 2024-25, marking a nearly 35% increase over the previous year’s addition of 18.57 GW. However, lower-than-usual solar radiation meant the full impact of this capacity growth was not reflected in actual generation, according to the report. 

Fossil fuel-based electricity generation rose by 67 TWh (+4.4%) in 2024, a notable slowdown compared to 2023’s 124 TWh increase (+8.8%). Coal power output rose by 4.3%, about half the 8.8% annual average growth seen over the previous three years. Coal accounted for 64% of the increase in electricity demand, down from 91% in 2023.

India is one of just ten countries that are targeting 500 GW of clean power by 2030. As of October 2024, India had installed 200 GW of renewable capacity. The country is focusing on domestic manufacturing of solar modules, batteries, and electrolysers as part of its energy transition, while also achieving key development goals such as universal electricity access.

In 2024, however, 78% of India’s electricity came from fossil fuels, with coal alone accounting for 75%. This is higher than the Asian average of 66% and the global average of 59%. Clean electricity made up 22% of the power mix, with hydro the largest contributor at 8%, followed by wind and solar at 10%—below both the global average (15%) and China (18%).