India has, for the first time outside a crisis period like the COVID-19 lockdown, recorded a decline in carbon dioxide emissions from its electricity sector. According to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) for Carbon Brief, emissions fell by 1% between January and June 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
This is significant as the power sector contributes nearly 40% of India’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
Key Drivers of the Decline
- Clean Energy Surge: India added 25.1 GW of solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear capacity in the first half of 2025 — a 70% jump from last year — reducing fossil fuel generation by 29 TWh.
- Lower Demand: A milder summer and good pre-monsoon rainfall cut down air-conditioning use, lowering peak electricity demand and coal consumption.
India’s Clean Energy Progress
- Current non-fossil capacity: 252 GW (as of mid-2025)
- National target: 500 GW by 2030
- Pipeline projects: 230 GW, which could push capacity to 482 GW before 2030
Prahlad Joshi, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, noted that India installed 23 GW of clean energy in just five months (April–August 2025) and expects this to double by year-end, possibly peaking power sector emissions before 2030.
Static Snapshot:
- Emission drop: 1%
- Clean energy added (H1 2025): 25.1 GW
- Reason: Clean energy growth + mild summe
