India Becomes World’s Third Largest Renewable Energy Market, Surpasses Brazil
India has become the third largest renewable energy market globally with 250.52 GW installed capacity. The country recorded a record 55.3 GW addition in FY 2025–26, driven by strong solar and wind growth.
India now ranks third globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity as per the Renewable Energy Statistics 2026, said Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy. In achieving this feat, India has moved ahead of Brazil in the ranking. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released the statistics as of December 2025.
Total Renewable Energy Installed Capacity (GW) |
|
| China | 2258.02 |
| USA | 467.92 |
| India | 250.52 |
| Brazil | 228.2 |
| Germany | 199.92 |
| Japan | 134.53 |
| Canada | 110.51 |
| Worldwide | 5149.28 |
The Highest Ever Increase
Notably, India achieved a total non-fossil capacity addition of 55.3 GW during FY 2025–26, which is the highest ever increase in any year. During 2024-25, the capacity increased by 29.5 GW.
Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) from Solar has emerged as a significant component of this growth, contributing 16.3 GW (36%) out of the 44.61 GW installed during 2025–26. This includes 7.6 GW under PM KUSUM and 8.7 GW from rooftop solar.
The Highest Ever Increase
Notably, India achieved a total non-fossil capacity addition of 55.3 GW during FY 2025–26, which is the highest ever increase in any year. During 2024-25, the capacity increased by 29.5 GW.
Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) from Solar has emerged as a significant component of this growth, contributing 16.3 GW (36%) out of the 44.61 GW installed during 2025–26. This includes 7.6 GW under PM KUSUM and 8.7 GW from rooftop solar.
Wind energy also saw the highest ever capacity addition as the capacity rose by 6.05 GW during 2025-26. In the previous year, the wind capacity addition was 4.15 GW.
The Minister also highlighted that in July 2025, India reached its highest-ever renewable energy share in electricity generation. The renewables met 51.5% of the country’s total electricity demand of 203 GW. He also said that a total of 283.46 GW of capacity from non-fossil fuel sources has been installed in the country as of March 31, 2026.
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India’s total power generation during 2025-26, up to March 2026, reached 1,845.921 BU. The share of non-fossil fuels in total generation reached 29.2% in 2025-26 (538.97 BU).
A total of 283.46 GW of capacity from non-fossil fuel sources has been installed in the country by the end of FY 2026. This includes 274.68 GW Renewable Energy – 150.26 GW Solar Power, 56.09 GW Wind Power, 11.75 GW Bio Energy, 5.17 GW Small Hydro Power, 51.41 GW Large Hydro Power. The Nuclear Power accounts for 8.78 GW capacity.
Source: Saur Energy International
