Halfway to Green: Bharat Hits 50% Clean Power Milestone Early

Paromita Das
New Delhi, 18th July: In a world grappling with rising emissions and the looming threat of climate collapse, Bharat has just pulled off something extraordinary—yet again. With little fanfare but tremendous significance, the country has quietly met one of its most ambitious climate targets five years ahead of schedule: 50% of its total installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources.

This landmark shift doesn’t just represent a bureaucratic success or a numerical target crossed. It’s a bold declaration to the world that developing nations can lead the charge in climate action without sacrificing economic progress.

The Quiet Revolution of Bharatiya Energy

While the headlines often focus on coal or power shortages, a silent but powerful energy transformation has been taking place across Bharat’s landscape—from the sun-drenched deserts of Rajasthan to the windy coasts of Tamil Nadu. With a total installed capacity of 484.82 GW, the country now draws 242.78 GW from non-fossil fuel sources, including 184.62 GW from renewables, 49.38 GW from hydro, and 8.78 GW from nuclear.

This isn’t just policy in motion—it’s a revolution. Rooftops are turning into solar farms, barren lands are blossoming with wind turbines, and village pumps are humming with clean solar power.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi put it best: “Achieving 50% non-fossil fuel capacity five years ahead of the 2030 target is a proud moment for every Bharatiya.” His statement isn’t just political cheerleading—it’s the articulation of a vision that’s coming alive.

Seeds of Success: From Fields to Rooftops

Much of Bharat’s energy success story lies in its clever blend of top-down policy and bottom-up participation. Several government initiatives have laid the foundation for this transformation:

• The PM-KUSUM Scheme brought solar power directly to Bharat’s farms, making irrigation both sustainable and affordable.
• PM Surya Ghar Initiative, rolled out in 2024, is democratizing energy production by enabling one crore households to install rooftop solar systems.
• Solar Parks, developed at utility scale, have made solar one of the cheapest and most competitive sources of electricity in the country.
• Wind power continues to play a vital role in balancing grid demand, especially during peak hours.
• Bioenergy is converting agricultural and urban waste into usable power, supporting rural economies while lowering emissions.

What makes this transition even more commendable is that it’s happening without compromising on access, affordability, or reliability. The Bharatiya model doesn’t just serve its own needs—it sets a precedent for others to follow.

Climate Leadership Without Western Hand-Holding

For too long, global climate conversations have been dominated by wealthy nations that industrialized using fossil fuels but now lecture others on sustainability. Bharat, however, is flipping the narrative. It is doing more with less—less money, less carbon footprint per capita, and certainly less hypocrisy.

This achievement speaks volumes. Unlike some developed countries that miss their own targets, Bharat is not only meeting international commitments under the Paris Agreement but also exceeding them ahead of schedule.

At the heart of this accomplishment lies a key insight: sustainability need not be the enemy of progress. When aligned with national priorities, green energy can boost employment, empower rural areas, reduce import dependence, and make economies more resilient.

A Future Built on Clean Foundations

Bharat’s clean energy transition isn’t the end goal—it’s a stepping stone. As the country continues to electrify its transport, modernize industries, and digitalize services, the demand for clean, reliable power will only increase.

This 50% milestone is symbolic, yes—but it’s also deeply strategic. It ensures that the foundations of Bharat’s 21st-century economy are not built on coal and oil, but on the sun, the wind, the atom, and innovation.

The World Should Take Notes

Bharat’s clean energy leap is not just a story of solar panels and wind turbines. It’s a story of political will, grassroots innovation, and national pride. It’s proof that development and decarbonization can—and must—go hand in hand.

As the world looks for climate heroes, Bharat has quietly stepped into that role. Not with grandstanding, but with grounded, goal-oriented action. It’s time others took notes.