{"id":88055,"date":"2026-11-05T18:19:33","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T12:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=88055"},"modified":"2026-11-05T18:20:09","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T12:50:09","slug":"500-gw-non-fossil-fuel-capacity-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/05-11-2026\/500-gw-non-fossil-fuel-capacity-india","title":{"rendered":"India to Add 500 GW of Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity in Next Decade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Energy and Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PM Modi announced that India aims to add 500 GW of new non-fossil fuel-based power capacity over the next 10\u201311 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Progress in Renewable Energy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India has achieved nearly <strong>308 GW<\/strong> of installed non-fossil fuel capacity, accounting for approximately<strong> 55.1%<\/strong> of its total installed power capacity of <strong>558.89 GW.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As per IRENA RE Statistics 2026, globally,<strong> India stands 3rd in Solar Power <\/strong>installed capacity, <strong>4th in Wind Power <\/strong>capacity and <strong>3th in total Renewable Energy<\/strong> capacity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India achieved its <strong>Paris Agreement target<\/strong> of deriving <strong>50%<\/strong> of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources in 2025, five years ahead of the 2030 deadline.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The country aims to achieve <strong>500 GW<\/strong> of non-fossil fuel-based installed capacity by 2030.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are <strong>country-specific climate action plans<\/strong> submitted under the <strong>Paris Agreement.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They outline targets for <strong>reducing greenhouse gas emissions<\/strong> and adapting to climate change.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NDCs are <strong>revised periodically<\/strong> to enhance ambition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s NDC is based on the principle of <strong>Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). <\/strong>The approach emphasises equity and climate justice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Targets in NDC 3.0 (2031-2035)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Emissions Intensity Reduction: <\/strong>India has committed to reducing the emissions intensity (CO\u2082 per unit of GDP) of its GDP by <strong>47%<\/strong> by 2035 from 2005 levels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expansion of Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity:<\/strong> India has committed to achieving<strong> 60%<\/strong> of its installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2035.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creation of Carbon Sink: <\/strong>India has committed to creating a carbon sink of <strong>3.5 to 4 billion tonnes<\/strong> of CO\u2082 equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of Renewable Energy Transition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Energy Security:<\/strong> Reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels and exposure to geopolitical disruptions, particularly in West Asia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Climate Commitments:<\/strong> Supports India&#8217;s <strong>Nationally Determined Contributions <\/strong>(NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and its long-term net-zero target of 2070.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Investment and Employment: <\/strong>The renewable energy sector has attracted over $164 billion in investments in the past decade.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Investment opportunities worth approximately $220 billion (\u20b920 lakh crore) are expected by 2030.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technological Development:<\/strong> Promotes domestic manufacturing, innovation and technological capabilities in solar cells, batteries, green hydrogen and energy storage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Constraints in Renewable Energy Generation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Low Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF):<\/strong> Clean energy sources are <strong>intermittent <\/strong>and weather-dependent. Hence, their actual output is much lower despite high capacity.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Eg:<\/strong> Solar CUF: ~20%, Wind CUF: ~25\u201330%, Coal CUF: ~60%, Nuclear CUF: ~80%.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Base Load Dependency on Coal: <\/strong>Coal continues to supply over 75% of India&#8217;s electricity demand, especially at night when solar isn&#8217;t available.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s grid still depends heavily on thermal sources for round-the-clock (RTC) power.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Storage and Transmission Limitations:<\/strong> Lack of grid-scale battery storage prevents storing surplus daytime solar energy.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Transmission planning is not in sync with the pace of RE (renewable energy) installation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Land Acquisition:<\/strong> Land availability and environmental concerns can delay renewable energy projects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government Initiatives to Improve Clean Energy Utilisation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Green Energy Corridor (GEC): <\/strong>Aims to strengthen the transmission infrastructure to evacuate renewable energy efficiently from generation points to demand centres.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PM-KUSUM Scheme: <\/strong>Promotes installation of solar pumps and grid-connected solar power plants in rural areas to reduce diesel usage and support farmers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Green Hydrogen Mission:<\/strong> Seeks to promote the production and use of green hydrogen to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in sectors like refining, steel, and fertilisers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: <\/strong>Provides financial incentives for domestic manufacturing of high-efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and advanced battery storage systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Renewable Energy Hybrid Policy:<\/strong> Encourages setting up of projects that combine solar and wind energy in the same location to increase capacity utilisation and reliability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Solar Mission (NSM): <\/strong>It was<strong> <\/strong>launched in <strong>2010,<\/strong> it has set ambitious targets for solar capacity installation, including grid-connected and off-grid solar power projects.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO): <\/strong>Requires power distribution companies and large electricity consumers to procure a certain percentage of their power from renewable sources, encouraging the demand for renewable energy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Battery and Storage Infrastructure:<\/strong> Accelerate deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) through VGF (Viability Gap Funding) or PLI.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hybrid projects (solar-wind-hydro with BESS) should be fast-tracked.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Decentralised Renewable Energy: <\/strong>Promote rooftop solar, solar pumps, and mini-grids to relieve base-load pressure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expand domestic manufacturing <\/strong>under initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grid Modernisation and Smart Management:<\/strong> Invest in smart grids with real-time demand-supply balancing.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enable time-of-day pricing, especially to promote daytime solar usage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nuclear Power as a Strategic Pillar: <\/strong>Nuclear capacity should be scaled in a phased and financially sustainable manner to provide firm, low-carbon base-load power.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/business\/india-to-add-500-gw-non-fossil-fuel-capacity-in-next-10-11-years-pm-modi-10947603\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> PM Modi announced that India aims to add 500 GW of new non-fossil fuel-based power capacity over the next 10\u201311 years. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> India\u2019s Progress in Renewable Energy <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> India has achieved nearly 308 GW of installed non-fossil fuel capacity, accounting for approximately 55.1% of its total installed power capacity of 558.89 GW.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> As per IRENA RE Statistics 2026, globally, India stands 3rd in Solar Power installed capacity, 4th in Wind Power capacity and 3th in total Renewable Energy capacity. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/05-11-2026\/500-gw-non-fossil-fuel-capacity-india \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-88055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=88055"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88058,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88055\/revisions\/88058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=88055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=88055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=88055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}