India has seen a drop in fossil fuel power generation in 2025, driven by a sharp rise in solar electricity output.
New Data from energy think tank Ember shows a 32.4% year-on-year increase in solar generation from January to April, supporting overall electricity supply while holding coal-fired output steady and cutting gas-fired power by 27%.
Solar power generation reached a record 57.8 TWh in the first four months of 2025 – nearly a third higher than the same period in 2024.
This growth followed a 30% rise in installed solar capacity over the past year. In March and April, solar contributed 10% of India’s electricity mix, up from a 2024 average of 7%.
Overall, clean energy generation rose by 23% year-on-year between January and April, accounting for a record 23.3% of total electricity production. This allowed utilities to reduce fossil fuel output by around 0.5%.
While modest, such a decline is uncommon given India’s fast-growing energy demand. The last similar drop occurred in 2020 during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Coal remains the dominant energy source, powering roughly 75% of the grid. However, India’s clean energy supply has grown by about 10% annually since 2020. During times of lower demand, this expansion gives room to scale back fossil fuel use.
Hydropower may further reduce coal dependence in the coming months. “Above-average” monsoon rainfall, forecast at 6% above normal, is expected to boost hydro output.
Combined with ongoing solar growth, this may prompt deeper cuts in coal generation and potentially lead to the first annual drop in coal use since 2020.
