New Delhi, Sep 24: India has crossed a major milestone in its clean-energy transition, with non-fossil power capacity reaching more than 300 GW. With renewable generation expanding rapidly, the next challenge for the power sector is shifting towards building stronger transmission networks and managing an increasingly complex electricity grid, Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal said.
Agarwal said the country is now operating in a very different power-sector environment compared with 2005, when electricity shortages and access were among the major concerns. With non-fossil capacity already crossing 300 GW, grid management and transmission infrastructure are becoming increasingly important for integrating new renewable capacity.
India’s installed non-fossil capacity stood at 300.50 GW as of July 31, 2026, accounting for more than 54 per cent of total installed power capacity of around 552 GW. Solar power contributed 164.59 GW, followed by wind at 58.14 GW, hydropower at 57.24 GW, bio-power at 11.75 GW and nuclear power at 8.78 GW.
The rapid expansion of solar and wind power also brings greater variability in electricity generation. This makes investments in transmission, storage, forecasting and real-time grid management increasingly important for ensuring that electricity generated from renewable sources can reach demand centres reliably.
The government has already been expanding the transmission network and introducing measures to improve renewable-energy integration. During FY2025-26, around 12,139 circuit kilometres of transmission lines were added, while battery energy storage capacity of 2,668.54 MW/7,785.6 MWh was also added during 2026.
Energy storage is expected to become an important part of this transition. Government planning has considered around 47 GW of battery energy storage systems by 2031-32, along with a roadmap for integrating 100 GW of pumped-storage projects between 2025-26 and 2035-36.
The changing power mix is also opening a wider business opportunity across the electricity ecosystem. Transmission equipment, grid automation, energy storage, smart meters, power electronics and digital monitoring systems are likely to see greater demand as the country modernises its power infrastructure.
The proposed National Electricity Policy 2026 is also being framed around these changing requirements. The draft policy has been moved for inter-ministerial consultation and is aimed at addressing issues including reliable electricity supply, peak-demand management, grid stability and the evolving role of renewable energy.
For India, crossing 300 GW of non-fossil capacity therefore represents more than an increase in generation capacity. It marks a transition towards a power system where transmission, storage, flexibility and intelligent grid management will play an increasingly central role in supporting future economic and industrial growth.
