India's ambitious journey towards a greener future achieved a monumental milestone as the calendar year 2025 concluded with an unprecedented boom in renewable energy installations. The nation's clean energy sector witnessed its most robust growth ever, setting a new benchmark for capacity addition and highlighting the accelerating pace of its energy transition.
Record-Breaking Year for Green Energy
The numbers tell a compelling story of progress. In 2025, the country integrated approximately 48 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable energy capacity, which includes contributions from large hydroelectric projects. Even when excluding large hydro, the addition was an impressive around 45 GW. This performance marks a dramatic leap from the 28 GW added in the preceding year, 2024, underscoring a significant scaling up of development and deployment efforts across the sector.
Solar Dominance and Wind's Strong Comeback
As in previous years, solar power remained the undisputed champion of India's renewable expansion. The technology was responsible for a colossal 38 GW of the new capacity added in 2025, solidifying its position as the cornerstone of the nation's clean energy strategy. This massive infusion from solar projects, both utility-scale and decentralized, continues to drive down costs and increase accessibility.
In a welcome development for the industry, the wind energy sector staged a powerful recovery, posting its highest-ever annual capacity addition. About 6.3 GW of wind power was connected to the grid during the year. This surge indicates a revitalization of the sector, potentially fueled by improved policy frameworks, technological advancements, and a renewed focus on hybrid projects.
Gujarat Edges Out Rajasthan in State Rankings
The competitive landscape among Indian states saw a notable shift at the close of 2025. Gujarat emerged as the new national leader in cumulative installed renewable energy capacity, narrowly displacing Rajasthan from the top spot. The final tally showed Gujarat's capacity, including large hydro, at 42,583 MW, just ahead of Rajasthan's 42,531 MW.
This close race highlights the intense focus on renewable development in these western and northwestern states. Following the top two, Maharashtra secured the third position with a total capacity of 30,313 MW, while Tamil Nadu held fourth place with 27,113 MW. These figures reflect the concentrated efforts and favorable conditions in these regions.
National Capacity Reaches New Heights
The cumulative effect of this record year has propelled India's total renewable energy portfolio to new heights. As of December 31, 2025, the nation's installed renewable energy capacity stood at a formidable 207 GW. When large hydroelectric projects are included in the count, the total clean energy capacity reaches an even more substantial 258 GW. This growing portfolio is a critical component of India's commitments to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security.
The achievements of 2025 set a powerful precedent, demonstrating that the clean energy transition is not only viable but is accelerating at scale. The data confirms strong momentum across technologies and states, paving the way for even more ambitious targets in the future.
