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08 December, 2025
India’s Energy Achievement: Attainment of the Panchamrit Target
Wed 10 Dec, 2025
Context:
- India has achieved 50% of its total installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources (renewable energy, hydropower, and nuclear energy) in the year 2025, which forms a part of India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and the ‘Panchamrit’ commitments announced at COP26.
Key Point:
- Target: Achieving 50% non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030 (achieved five years ahead).
Context and Importance of Panchamrit Targets:
- The ‘Panchamrit’ targets were announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the COP26 Climate Summit (Glasgow, 2021).
- These five targets form the foundation of India’s long-term climate action strategy.
- The target of achieving 50% non-fossil capacity is one of these key commitments.
Panchamrit Target — Original Timeline — Importance of Achievement in 2025
| Panchamrit Target | Original Timeline | Importance of Achievement in 2025 |
| 1. Increasing non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. | 2030 | Early attainment of 50% capacity indicates strong momentum toward the massive 500 GW goal. |
| 2. Meeting 50% of energy requirements through renewable sources by 2030. | 2030 | Achieving 50% of installed capacity marks an important step toward fulfilling this target. |
| 3. Reducing total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030. | 2030 | A rise in non-fossil capacity will directly reduce emissions, helping achieve this goal earlier. |
| 4. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. | 2070 | Early completion of short-term goals lays a strong foundation for the long-term net-zero goal. |
Key Drivers Behind the Early Achievement
Government Policies and Incentives:
- National Solar Mission and Wind Energy Policies: Under these missions, large-scale Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and capital subsidies were provided, which boosted domestic manufacturing and project development.
- Transparency in Auction Mechanisms: Competitive bidding and the ‘Must-Run Status’ lowered investor risks and brought solar and wind prices to record lows.
- Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO): Mandatory renewable procurement targets for states ensured continuous demand.
Policy Initiatives:
- PM Surya Ghar Yojana: Rooftop solar installed on 10 million households, adding 17 GW.
- PM-KUSUM: Solar pumps for farmers, ~9 GW capacity (in 2025).
- Solar Park Scheme: 55 parks approved with a total capacity of 39,958 MW.
- Green Energy Corridor: Strengthening inter-state transmission networks; ISTS charges waived (starting at 25%).
- PLI Scheme: Boosted solar PV manufacturing; costs reduced by 80%.
- Investments and Market Trends: $100 billion spent on fossil imports in 2022; renewables reduced this burden. States like Rajasthan and Gujarat attracted billions in investment through solar parks, generating 50,000+ jobs.
- Technological Advancements: 5.4 GW co-located solar-BESS allotted under battery storage; hybrid (solar + wind) projects expanded.
- Global Ranking: According to IRENA 2025—India ranks 3rd in solar, 4th in wind/total renewable energy.
Impact:
- Environmental: Reduction in CO₂ emissions, strong progress toward the 2030 goal of cutting 1 billion tonnes; foundation strengthened for net-zero by 2070.
- Economic: Lower import dependence ($4 billion savings through ethanol blending); 6 GW added in the C&I sector in 2025, projected 60–80 GW by 2030; millions of jobs created (50,000+ direct jobs in Rajasthan).
- Energy Security: Energy demand expected to double by 2040 (15,820 TWh); renewable energy improved diversification and grid stability.
- Global Influence: A model for developing nations; India contributed 46 GW to global solar additions during 2022–24.