India’s renewable energy output surged at its fastest rate since 2022 in the first half of 2025, according to a Reuters analysis of government data.
Between January and June, renewable electricity generation jumped 24.4%, reaching 134.43 billion kilowatt hours (kWh), based on daily load despatch data from the federal grid regulator. In June, the share of renewables—excluding hydropower—hit a record high, surpassing 17% of total power generation.
Meanwhile, output from coal-fired power plants, which still dominate India’s energy mix, declined by nearly 3% during the same period. Overall electricity generation grew only 1.5%, a sharp drop from the 5.8% growth recorded in 2024.
The slowdown is attributed to a milder summer, brought on by an early monsoon, and sluggish economic activity, both of which tempered electricity demand. As a result, coal usage declined, pushing domestic coal stockpiles to record levels and leading to lower imports by India, the world’s second-largest coal consumer after China.
