India's plan to cut carbon dependency in the power sector: 500 GW non-fossil target by 2030

India is moving to reduce its reliance on carbon-heavy power generation by scaling a diversified mix of renewable energy sources. The country aims to reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, backed by policies like the Production Linked Incentive scheme for domestic solar manufacturing and the Green Energy Corridor for transmission upgrades. Solar leads at 140.6 GW installed, followed by wind at 54.65 GW, with large hydro and biomass adding more than 68 GW combined. A key part of the strategy is Firm Dispatchable Renewable Energy, which pairs wind and solar with battery storage or pumped hydro to deliver reliable power around the clock. The government has issued tenders requiring developers to meet specific capacity utilization factors. Green hydrogen is also being positioned for hard-to-abate sectors like steel and refining, though the regulatory framework is still evolving and currently relies on a patchwork of general energy laws rather than a dedicated hydrogen act. Energy storage is central to grid stability as renewable penetration grows. India uses two main storage types: hydro pumped storage plants and battery energy storage systems. The article notes that while renewable sources have legal must-run status, state load despatch centers have sometimes curtailed generation for grid management, creating a gap between policy and practice that developers are addressing through curtailment compensation clauses in power purchase agreements.