Parliament Question: Renewable energy targets and coal dependence

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3668 ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026 RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS AND COAL DEPENDENCE 3668. DR. SYED NASEER HUSSAIN Will the Minister of New and Renewable Energy be pleased to state: (a) the present total installed power capacity and the share of renewable energy (including large hydro) as of 31st December 2025; (b) whether Government is on track to meet its announced targets for non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and if not, the gaps identified; (c) the steps taken to reduce dependence on coal-based generation in line with India’s climate commitments and whether any plants have been identified for phased retirement; and (d) whether Government proposes to reconcile approvals for new coal-based capacity with the stated goal of a high share of renewable and non-fossil capacity by 2030? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK) (a) As per the Central Electricity Authority (CEA)’s installed capacity reports, the total installed power capacity in the country as on 31.12.2025 is 513.72 GW out of which the renewable energy capacity (including Large Hydro) is 258.00 GW i.e. 50.22%. (b) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is working towards achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel-based sources by 2030. As on 28.02.2026, a total of 275.45 GW non-fossil fuel based electricity capacity has been installed in the country. In addition, non- fossil fuel projects of 189.15 GW capacity have been awarded and projects of 54.70 GW capacity have been tendered. Thus, India is on track to achieving its non-fossil fuel capacity targets by 2030. (c) & (d) The Government has taken several steps and initiatives to promote and accelerate development and deployment of renewable energy capacity in the country to realize the commitment of 500 GW non-fossil fuel based electricity capacity by 2030, as given at Annexure. As per the information received from Central Electricity Authority (CEA), as per Section 7 of Electricity Act, 2003 setting up of a thermal power plant is a de-licensed activity in the country and any generating company may establish, operate and maintain a generating station without obtaining a license under this Act if it complies with the technical standards relating to connectivity with the grid. To meet the electricity demand by the year 2034-35, the projected thermal (coal and lignite) capacity requirement is estimated at approximately 3,07,000 MW. The installed coal and lignite-based capacity as on 31st March 2023 was 2,11,855 MW. Considering the proposed requirement of 2,000 MW by March 2032, the minimum additional thermal capacity required to meet the projected demand works out to be around 97,000 MW. To meet this requirement, several initiatives have already been undertaken. Thermal capacities of around 18,160 MW have already been commissioned since April 2023 till February, 2026. In addition, as on 28.02.2026, 40,865 MW of thermal capacity is under construction. Further, contracts for 22,400 MW thermal capacity have been awarded and is due for construction. To meet the projected demand in the country about 22,560 MW of coal and lignite-based candidate capacity has been identified, which is at various stages of planning in the country. *****Annexure Annexure referred to in reply of parts-(c) & (d) of the Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3668 to be answered on 24.03.2026 The Government of India has taken several steps and initiatives to promote and accelerate renewable energy capacity in the country to realize the commitment of 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030. These include, inter-alia, the following: • Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar, Wind, Wind-Solar Hybrid and Firm & Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) projects have been issued. • To boost RE consumption, Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) followed by Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) trajectory has been notified till 2029-30. The RCO which is applicable to all designated consumers under the Energy Conservation Act 2001 will attract penalties on non-compliance. RCO also includes specified quantum of consumption from Decentralized Renewable Energy sources. • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been permitted up to 100 percent under the automatic route. • Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules, New Solar Power Scheme (for Tribal and PVTG Habitations/Villages) under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) and Dharti Aabha Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA JGUA), National Green Hydrogen Mission, Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy Projects have been launched. • Scheme for setting up of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power projects is being implemented to provide land and transmission to RE developers for installation of RE projects at large scale. • Waiver on Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for renewable energy projects including green hydrogen projects, with certain timelines and conditions. • Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity has been funded under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power. • Quality Control Orders for Solar Photovoltaic products (i.e., Solar PV Modules, Solar PV Inverters & Storage Battery) and Solar Water Heating systems notified. • Issued National Framework for promoting & developing Energy Storage Systems. • Issued Guidelines for Resource Adequacy Planning Framework for India. • Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 has been issued for net-metering up to five hundred Kilowatt or up to the electrical sanctioned load, whichever is lower. • “National Repowering and Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects, 2023” has been issued. • The Offshore Wind Energy Lease Rules, 2023 have been notified vide Ministry of External Affairs notification dated 19th December 2023, to regulate the grant of lease of offshore areas for development of offshore wind energy projects.• The Revised Guidelines for installation of prototype wind turbine models issued on 12th June 2025. • Procedure for inclusion/updating Wind Turbine Model in the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers of Wind Turbines (RLMM) issued on 31st July 2025. The amendment renames RLMM as Approved List of Models and Manufacturers [ALMM (Wind)] and mandates usage of listed components such as Blade, Tower, Generator, Gearbox and Special Bearings (Main, Pitch and Yaw Bearing) along with mandatory relocation of data centres within India and prohibition of real-time data transfer outside India. • The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for ALMM-Wind and ALMM – Wind Turbine Components (ALMM-WTC) issued on 29th October 2025, detailing the end-to-end process for application, verification, factory inspection, component evaluation and model enlistment. • Standard & Labelling (S&L) programs for Solar Photovoltaic modules and Grid-connected Solar Inverters have been launched. • To augment transmission infrastructure needed for steep RE trajectory, transmission plan has been prepared till 2030. • “The Electricity (Late Payment Surcharge and related matters) Rules (LPS rules) have been notified. • Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022, notified on 06th June 2022 with objective of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable green energy for all. Green Energy Open Access is allowed to any consumer with contract demand of 100 kW or above through single or multiple single connection aggregating Hundred kW or more located in same electricity division of a distribution licensee. • Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) has been launched to facilitate sale of Renewable Power through exchanges. • Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators.