India’s Renewable Energy Share in Electricity Doubles in 9 Years

India has made significant progress in its transition towards cleaner sources of power. According to a recent government report, the share of renewables in the country’s total electricity generation has increased from 6% in FY15 to 12.1% in FY24. This shift highlights a broader trend towards sustainability, driven by technological advancements, government incentives, and rising awareness of climate concerns.

The upward trajectory of renewable energy is crucial for a country like India, which faces increasing electricity demand due to rapid industrialisation and urbanisation.

Industrial Sector Leads Electricity Consumption

The report also sheds light on the consumption pattern across sectors. The industrial sector emerged as the largest consumer of electricity, accounting for 42% of total consumption in FY24. This was followed by the domestic sector at 24%, agriculture at 17%, and commercial users at 8%.

This distribution reflects India’s development priorities and the growing role of industrial output in driving economic growth.

Coal Still Dominates India’s Energy Supply

Despite the rising share of renewable energy, coal continues to be the mainstay of India’s energy mix. It accounted for nearly 79% of the total domestic energy supply in FY24. The electricity sector was the largest consumer of coal, using 69% of the total supply.

Coal’s dominance underlines the challenges India faces in balancing energy security with sustainability goals.

Per Capita Energy Use and Efficiency on the Rise

India’s per capita energy consumption rose by 25.4%, from 14,682 megajoules in FY15 to 18,410 megajoules in FY24. At the same time, energy efficiency improved significantly. Energy consumed per unit of GDP fell from 0.27 megajoules per rupee in FY15 to 0.22 megajoules per rupee in FY24.

This indicates that the country is using energy more effectively, a positive sign for both economic and environmental outcomes.

Growing Reliance on Energy Imports

To meet the demands of a growing population and economy, India’s reliance on energy imports has increased. Crude oil dependency climbed from 83.5% in FY15 to 88.9% in FY24. Natural gas imports also saw a sharp rise, increasing from 35.6% to 46.6% over the same period.

However, there was some progress on coal imports, with dependency falling from 28.7% to 25.9%, reflecting efforts to boost domestic coal production.

Large-Scale Solar Projects on the Rise

The country is witnessing growing momentum in large-scale solar projects. Waaree Renewable Technologies Ltd recently secured a ₹232.30 crore (approximately US$ 27.12 million) contract from a domestic entity for a 170 MW solar power project. This includes engineering, procurement, construction, and long-term operation and maintenance services.

The project is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 225,000 metric tonnes annually—equivalent to taking 50,000 fossil fuel-powered cars off the road.

Conclusion

India’s energy landscape is gradually transforming, with renewable energy sources gaining ground and efficiency levels improving. While coal remains dominant, the steady rise in solar and other renewables signals a shift towards a more balanced and sustainable future. Ongoing investments and government support will likely continue to accelerate this transition, even as the country navigates challenges around energy security and import dependence.

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