India’s Renewable Energy Hits 49% of Power Capacity in 2025
India's renewable energy share in the country's total installed power capacity has surged to 49% in April 2025, up from 32% in 2014, according to Union Power Minister Manohar Lal. Speaking at the Regional Conference for Northern Region States/UTs in Chandigarh, the minister emphasized the importance of continued progress in achieving sustainable energy goals, urging states to work towards a well-balanced power generation mix that includes nuclear energy.
Minister Lal highlighted that the integration of renewable energy into the grid has been crucial to India's energy transformation, marking a significant leap in the country’s progress toward clean and sustainable power. He also called for greater coordination between central and state governments to support the nation’s goal of becoming a developed country by 2047.
Smart Meters and Power Sector Reforms
Lal further emphasized the importance of modernizing the power sector by ensuring the installation of prepaid smart meters in all government establishments and high-load consumers by the specified deadlines of August and November 2025, respectively. He suggested that states should also work towards listing power sector utilities to generate additional resources, thereby improving governance and transparency.
India's successful meeting of peak electricity demand of 250 GW in May 2024 was another point of pride, with the country transforming from a power-deficit to a power-sufficient nation. According to the minister, the country's peak demand shortage is now zero, signalling a major milestone in India's energy security.
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Future Energy Demand and Cybersecurity Measures
Looking ahead, Minister Lal noted that India’s peak electricity demand is projected to reach 446 GW by 2034-35. Meeting this demand sustainably will require proactive planning and continued collaboration between various stakeholders. He also stressed the significance of cyber-security measures and islanding schemes to protect the power grid from cyber threats and ensure resilience.
The meeting was attended by various state energy ministers and officials from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand, signalling a unified effort in advancing India’s energy goals.
