India may meet non-fossil fuel power capacity target by year-end, says Manohar Lal

New Delhi, Jul 9 (PTI) The share of renewable energy in India's total installed power capacity has reached nearly half and by the end of the year, the country is expected to meet the 50 per cent target, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal said on Wednesday.

India has set the target to achieve 50 per cent of its total power generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

"We have reached almost 50 per cent (share of renewable capacity) of the 472 GW total generation capacity, and by the end of the year, we will achieve it also," Lal said at an event being organised by industry body India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA).

The government is aware that solar and wind capacities will be needed to meet the country's growing power demand and several achievements have been made in this area, the power minister said.

According to official data, India's total installed power generation capacity was at 475.590 GW as of May 31. Of the total, 235.53 GW is from non-fossil fuel sources, including wind, solar and nuclear.

As part of the updated enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in August 2022, India has committed to reducing its emissions intensity by 45 per cent by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels), achieving 50 per cent of cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

Lal further said energy storage systems will be needed to stabilise the grid, optimise power generation and ensure round-the-clock supply of clean energy.

Around 1,000 participants from over 20 countries, senior government officials, and industry stakeholders are participating in the four-day event that began on Tuesday, IESA said in a statement. PTI ABI MR