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India's renewable power generation crosses 100 billion units in a quarter for the first time
Why in News?
Non-fossil generation is 33%, the NDC target is 50% of capacity: know the difference
India's renewable power generation has for the first time surpassed 100 billion units in a quarter.
Why it matters: general awareness
What you need to know
2 min read
India's renewable power generation has for the first time surpassed 100 billion units in a quarter.
Non-fossil sources, including renewables, hydropower and nuclear, accounted for around 33 per cent of total generation in the second quarter of FY27.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- India's renewable power generation crossed 100 billion units in a single quarter for the first time.
- Non-fossil sources (renewables, hydro, nuclear) supplied about 33% of total generation in Q2 FY27.
- Updated NDC (2022): about 50% of cumulative installed electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
- India's COP26 Panchamrit pledge: 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070.
- Non-fossil = renewables + large hydro + nuclear; the NDC target is about capacity, not generation.
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- India's updated NDC targets about 50 per cent of cumulative installed electric power capacity from non-fossil energy sources by 2030.
- India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, announced at COP26 in Glasgow.
- Non-fossil sources include renewables, hydropower and nuclear power.
- Installed capacity share and actual generation share of non-fossil sources are different measures; generation share is lower because of lower capacity utilisation of solar and wind.
Mains
GS-III (Energy, Environment): India's renewable generation milestone shows progress towards the NDC and the 2070 net-zero goal, yet non-fossil sources supply only about a third of generation. Policy levers include the 500 GW non-fossil target, solar parks and Production Linked Incentives, but intermittency, transmission constraints and grid stability remain. The way forward is battery storage, pumped hydro, green energy corridors, flexible demand and a gradual coal transition.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
With reference to India's climate commitments, consider the following statements:
- India's updated Nationally Determined Contribution targets about 50 per cent of cumulative installed electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
- India has set 2070 as its target year for achieving net-zero emissions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C — Both 1 and 2 are correct: India's updated NDC aims for about 50 per cent non-fossil installed power capacity by 2030, and its Panchamrit pledge at COP26 set net-zero for 2070.
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