Dr. Arvind Kumar*
This Earth Day 2025, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” echoed a powerful global sentiment that the future of humanity depends on how wisely we harness renewable energy today. With renewable energy now growing at a record 15.1% annually, it has become a cornerstone in the global push toward a healthier, more resilient, and equitable world. As United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized, with the world facing the impacts of the triple planetary crisis and global temperatures breaching the critical 1.5°C threshold in 2024, renewable energy is no longer just an environmental choice. It is an economic and social imperative, central to sustainable development. A bold global target has been set to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, which will require the sector to grow by 16.6% annually. But this raises important questions for all of us Are we moving fast enough? What more can governments, businesses, and civil society do to accelerate this shift?
The global energy landscape is shifting rapidly with 2024 marking a record-breaking year. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable power capacity expanded by 585 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, accounting for over 90% of total global power capacity additions and representing a 15.1% annual growth rate. This brought the total renewable capacity worldwide to approximately 4,448 GW. Solar photovoltaics led this surge, increasing by 451.9 GW, with China contributing nearly 64% of new capacity additions and India adding 24.5 GW. Hydropower capacity also rebounded, reaching 1,283 GW, while wind energy capacity totalled 1,133 GW, dominated by China and the United States. Regionally, Central America and the Caribbean lag behind, accounting for only 3.2% of new capacity while Asia remains at the forefront, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are emerging as vital examples, turning to renewables not just for sustainability, but for survival.
However, this growth remains insufficient to meet the annual 16.6% target required to triple clean energy by 2030. For India, the stakes are multifaceted. The country’s installed renewable capacity reached 222.86 GW by February 2025, with solar energy leading at 102.57 GW—a staggering 3,537% increase since 2014. Initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme have doubled solar module manufacturing to 74 GW, while the National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. Despite these strides, coal still dominates at 47.3% of India’s energy mix, underscoring the tension between development and decarbonization.
Renewables: The Engine of Net-Zero Transformation
Renewables are not just about cutting emissions; they are a lifeline for SDG progress. India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets 50% non-fossil power capacity by 2030, directly aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable Clean Energy). Programs like PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which subsidizes rooftop solar for 10 million households, and the $3 billion Maritime Development Fund for green port infrastructure highlights efforts to democratize access. Yet, disparities linger. These trends raise important questions: Why do some regions lead while others fall behind? What policy or financial barriers still exist? How can global cooperation ensure a more equitable energy transition? The momentum is strong!
India’s renewable journey faces systemic hurdles. Aging grid infrastructure struggles to manage the intermittency of solar and wind, risking supply instability during peak demand. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), critical for balancing the grid, remain underdeveloped, with the nation needing 47 GW of storage by 2030. Geopolitical tensions over critical minerals like lithium and cobalt further complicate progress, as China controls 60% of rare earth processing and 80% of solar panel production. Domestically, land acquisition delays and financing gaps slow project rollout, particularly in states with high renewable potential but low institutional capacity.
Despite the challenges, the renewable energy sector presents vast opportunities. The global market projected to reach $2.15 trillion by 2025, signalling strong economic potential. India’s green hydrogen mission is particularly promising, with the potential to make the country a major exporter while decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like steel and shipping. The International Solar Alliance (ISA), headquartered in India, has already mobilized $1.3 trillion for solar projects across 110 countries, strengthening South-South cooperation. Strategic partnerships with countries like Japan and South Korea could help India leap forward in smart grids and offshore wind technologies, while EU investments in rooftop solar aim to unlock 30 GW of untapped potential. At the grassroots level, decentralized solar micro-grids for rural areas and MSMEs offer inclusive solutions that turn everyday energy users into empowered stakeholders.
Way Ahead
The road ahead demands closing the gaps and bold action, which involves a comprehensive strategy that integrates strong and stable policy frameworks, accelerated technological innovation, and robust market reforms to drive demand for clean energy. Governments must streamline regulations, invest in advanced solar, long-duration storage, and green hydrogen technologies, and modernize grids with smart, decentralized systems to enhance reliability and inclusivity. Equally important is fostering international collaboration to facilitate technology transfer, secure critical mineral supply chains, and mobilize financing, particularly for emerging economies like India. Additionally, empowering local communities through workforce development and equitable access programs will ensure a just transition. By combining these elements, 2025 can become a landmark year where ambitious climate commitments translate into impactful, scalable actions that build a sustainable, resilient, and equitable energy future globally.
*Editor, Focus Global Reporter
