India is targeting a record addition of 20 GW of distributed renewable energy capacity during the current financial year, supported mainly by the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and the PM-KUSUM scheme.

Renewable Energy Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi said the proposed target would exceed the approximately 16 GW of distributed renewable capacity added during the previous financial year.

The government has crossed five million beneficiary households under the PM Surya Ghar scheme and aims to install rooftop solar systems across 10 million homes. The programme is expected to create around 30 GW of rooftop solar capacity by the end of the financial year.

The PM-KUSUM scheme is also contributing to distributed renewable energy growth through decentralised solar projects, standalone solar pumps and the solarisation of existing agricultural pumps.

Future clean energy demand is expected to be supported by the rapid expansion of data centres, green hydrogen projects and solar-powered agricultural infrastructure.

According to estimates by the Central Electricity Authority, data centres could generate more than 26 GW of additional clean electricity demand by 2032.

The government is also advancing a new floating solar initiative backed by ₹5,070 crore. The projects will incorporate energy storage systems to improve grid stability and provide reliable renewable electricity beyond daylight hours.

These initiatives are expected to strengthen decentralised power generation, reduce dependence on conventional energy sources and accelerate India’s transition towards a cleaner and more resilient energy system.