India is facing the dual challenge of rising temperatures and the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions. Recent data reveals a concerning increase in the country's annual mean temperature, coupled with significant strides in renewable energy generation.
According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), India's annual mean temperature has risen by 0.7°C from 25.05°C in 2001 to 25.74°C in 2024, marking a 24-year high. This increase, though seemingly small, can lead to significant alterations in climate and ecosystems, increasing the likelihood of extreme precipitation, deadly heatwaves, and water stress, while also impacting biodiversity. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) data further emphasizes this trend, indicating a significant increasing trend of 0.68°C per 100 years between 1901 and 2024. The year 2024 was the warmest on record since 1901, surpassing the previous high in 2016. This warming trend is consistent across all seasons, with each experiencing above-normal temperatures.
The consequences of rising temperatures are far-reaching. India recorded 200 heatwave days in 2024, a significant jump from 111 days the previous year. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting, exacerbating chronic health conditions, increasing the spread of vector-borne diseases and air pollution, and intensifying socio-economic pressures. There have been over 700 heatwave episodes in India between 1970 and 2019, resulting in over 17,000 deaths. Agriculture, a sector employing approximately 65% of India's population, is particularly vulnerable, with altered weather patterns affecting crop yields and threatening food security.
In response to these climate challenges, India has been aggressively expanding its renewable energy capacity. Over the last decade, renewable power capacity has seen a threefold increase, reaching 232 GW. This includes significant contributions from solar, wind, hydro, and bio-power. Solar power capacity has surged from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 108 GW in 2025, with wind energy capacity also doubling during the same period, reaching 51 GW in 2025. Biopower generation capacity has increased by 42% from 8.1GW to 11.5GW over the last 10 years. India's solar module manufacturing capacity has also increased significantly, from 2 GW to 90 GW in the last ten years.
The government has implemented various initiatives to promote renewable energy. The PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana scheme, aimed at installing rooftop solar plants in one crore households, has already benefited almost 13.3 lakh households, with nearly 12 lakh installations in the past 10 months. India has set an ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, requiring the addition of about 50 GW of green capacity per annum over the next five to six years.
These efforts have not gone unnoticed on the global stage. India now ranks fourth globally in renewable energy capacity, with significant advancements in solar and wind power. The share of non-fossil fuels in the total installed capacity has increased from 32.30% to 45.54% between 2014 and 2024.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. India continues to rely heavily on coal, with plans to construct more coal capacity, which sends the wrong message regarding the needed coal phase-out. The country also needs to improve its climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, addressing issues such as water scarcity, extreme weather events, and health implications. Financial support for adaptation measures is also lacking.
India's commitment to addressing climate change is evident in its policies, investments, and international collaborations. By continuing to expand renewable energy capacity and implement sustainable practices, India can mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures and build a more resilient and sustainable future.
