India's Renewable Energy Capacity Surges to 49% of Total Power Mix by April 2025

India's renewable energy capacity has grown significantly, reaching 49% of the total installed power capacity by April 2025, up from 32% in 2014. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal shared this update during a regional conference for Northern Region States and Union Territories in Chandigarh. He emphasised the importance of states developing a balanced power generation mix, including nuclear energy, to meet their resource adequacy plans.

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The minister stressed the need for states to install prepaid smart meters in government buildings and colonies by August 2025. For commercial, industrial, and high-load consumers, the deadline is November 2025. He also encouraged states to list power sector utilities to generate additional resources and enhance transparency and governance.

Power Demand and Future Projections

India successfully met a peak power demand of 250 GW in May 2024. The country has transitioned from being power-deficient to power-sufficient, with no current peak demand shortages. The minister highlighted the necessity of continuous cooperation between central and state governments to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Looking ahead, India's peak electricity demand is expected to reach 446 GW by 2034-35. Meeting this demand sustainably will require proactive planning and ongoing coordination among the centre, states, and stakeholders. The minister advised states to implement Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) Guidelines and form dedicated teams for effective planning.

Cyber-Security and Grid Resilience

The importance of cyber-security measures and islanding schemes was underscored as effective strategies to prevent power outages due to cyber threats. These measures are crucial for ensuring grid resilience. The meeting saw attendance from several key figures, including Haryana's Energy Minister Anil Vij and Punjab's Power Minister Harbhajan Singh.

Other attendees included Subodh Uniyal, Uttarakhand's Forest Minister; A K Sharma, Uttar Pradesh's Energy Minister; Ashish Sood, Delhi's Power Minister; Javed Ahmad Rana from Jammu & Kashmir; and Heeralal Nagar, Rajasthan's Energy Minister of State.

The minister concluded by highlighting the critical role of collaboration between various government levels in achieving sustainable energy goals. This cooperation is essential for meeting future energy demands while maintaining grid stability and security.

With inputs from PTI