India’s solar power generation experienced its slowest growth in six years during the first half of 2024, highlighting challenges in the sector amidst increased reliance on coal to meet escalating power demands. According to data analysed from the federal grid regulator, solar power generation in India rose by 14.7 percent to 63.6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year. This growth rate marks a significant slowdown from the 18.5 percent increase seen in calendar year 2023.
In contrast, electricity generated from coal surged by 10.4 percent during the same period, outpacing overall power generation growth of 9.7 percent. This trend underscores India’s strategic emphasis on coal to meet rising energy needs, with coal-fired power output surpassing renewable energy production last year for the first time since the Paris Accord in 2015.
The share of coal in India’s total power output increased to 77.1 percent in the first half of 2024, up from 76.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year, marking a continued upward trajectory over the past four years.
India, known as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, has prioritised coal as a cost-effective solution to bolster power supply post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery. This aligns with trends observed in neighboring countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, all of which are ramping up coal-fired electricity generation.
Looking ahead, India anticipates robust electricity generation growth for the fiscal year ending March 2025, driven primarily by an expected 8.9 percent increase in coal-fired power output. Renewable energy, however, is forecasted to grow by 8.2 percent, with analysts predicting accelerated growth in the subsequent fiscal year due to increased tendering and commissioning of green energy projects.
Moody’s unit ICRA projects a significant upsurge in renewable energy installations by over 30 percent to 25 gigawatts (GW) in the current fiscal year, signaling a potential rebound in solar and other renewable energy sectors as infrastructure developments gain momentum.