India aims to build 250 GW of new renewable capacity in the next 5 years

The Indian government plans to invite bids for 50 GW of renewable capacity a year over the next five years, at least 10 GW/year of which should come from wind farms. The plan is intended to help the country meet its target of 500 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2030. The news was reported by the international news service Argus.

According to the country’s energy ministry, India had almost 170 GW of installed renewable capacity at the end of February this year. Almost 40% of this total (64 GW) came from solar power plants, around 30% (52 GW) from hydropower plants, 25% (42 GW) from wind farms and the remaining roughly 5% (11 GW) from plants using biomass or other biofuels.

Despite its relatively large installed renewable capacity, the country still generates more than 70% of its electricity from coal. Renewables account for about 10% of electricity generation.