India’s non-fossil power capacity to hit 786 GW by FY36, exceed 2030 target: Govt

New Delhi: India expects to scale up its non-fossil fuel power capacity to 786 GW by FY36, signalling a sharper rise in its clean energy transition beyond the 2030 milestone of 500 GW. At the same time, fossil fuel-based capacities are projected to stand at 335 GW, a report from the power ministry showed.

The current non-fossil fuel-based installed capacity stands at around 274 GW while fossil fuel-based capacity is at 248.5 GW.

Renewable energy will be the focus as India looks to achieve net zero by 2070, while non-fossil fue; sources will also play a key role to fulfill rising demand, power minister Manohar Lal said.

Speaking at the Bharat Electricity Summit, Lal said India's demand will grow and data centre and EVs itself will bring 30 GW of consumption in next 5-6 years.

"There is a need for clean and green electricity, but to fulfil the requirements of the country's energy demand, we will also put up fossil-fuel power if needed," he said.

A long-term national generation adequacy study was carried out to find the least-cost option for generation capacity expansion from FY27 to FY36.

The overall power installed capacity is expected at 1,121 GW at the end of FY36, with non-fossil fuel making up around 70% of it.

Renewable energy minister Pralhad Joshi, who also addressed the summit, said green energy is the only sustainable pathway to Net Zero. He also highlighted that coal-based energy will also be needed in the wake of rising demand.

India's focus on manufacturing, export, data centres, and other factors will give a push to power demand which will be covered largely by clean energy, he added.

The projected peak electricity demand and electrical energy requirement in FY36 are expected at 459 GW and 3,365 billion units.

India's energy demand is expected to grow sharply over the next decade, driven by urbanisation, industrial expansion and electrification.

The country's power sector requires an investment of $2.2 trillion in the next two decades, power secretary Pankaj Agarwal said.

Gas-based power capacity is projected at 20 GW, while nuclear power is expected at 22 GW. Additionally, energy storage capacity of 174 GW/888 GWh, comprising battery energy storage of 80 GW/321 GWh and pumped storage of 94 GW/ 567 GWh is envisaged by 2035-36.