India’s installed renewable energy capacity has surged by 165% over the past ten years, increasing from 76 GW in 2014 to 203 GW in 2024, according to New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi. Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Joshi highlighted India’s position as the fourth-largest globally in renewable energy capacity and noted an investment of approximately Rs 7 trillion in renewable projects during this period.
The Union Budget 2024-25 allocated over Rs 210 billion to the New and Renewable Energy sector, more than doubling last year’s allocation of Rs 100 billion. Joshi emphasized that this substantial budget will generate local employment and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. He also mentioned that Rs 1.6 trillion has been earmarked for schemes like PM Surya Ghar, PM Kusum, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The solar power tariff has dropped from Rs 11 per unit during the UPA rule to Rs 2.60 per unit in 2024.
During the discussion, BJP’s Amar Pal Maurya highlighted the government’s provision of LED bulbs to millions of families, saving 45 billion units of energy. He noted the success of the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with over 12.8 million households registering for the solar rooftop scheme.
NCP’s Dr. Fauzia Khan pointed out that 85% of the renewable energy budget focuses on solar power but criticized the PM Kusum scheme for underperformance. CPI’s Santhosh Kumar highlighted the government’s contradictory approach of promoting both renewable and conventional energy, with coal still accounting for 50% of the power basket.
Birendra Prasad of Asom Gana Parishad noted a 79% increase in power production under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. BSP’s Ramji emphasized the high cost of solar power production and stressed the need for high-quality, domestically produced solar panels and increased attention to wind power.