India installs 10 GW of solar, wind in Jan-Sep 2021

India added 8,811 MW of solar capacity and 1,246 MW of wind capacity in the first nine months of the year, India’s JMK Research said on Tuesday.

The capacity additions are up 280% and 101% respectively compared to the same period of 2020, reflecting mainly the commissioning of projects delayed due to COVID-19, according to the consulting firm.

Based on official data, India’s renewables installed capacity stood at 101.53 GW in September, with solar accounting for 46% of this, wind for 39%, bio power for 10% and small hydro for 5%, said JMK Research.

Solar additions in the January-September period this year were led by Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, while the wind installations were almost entirely concentrated in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The solar capacity includes utility-scale, rooftop and off-grid or distributed solar systems. In the first nine months of the year, the country added 2,068 MW of rooftop solar capacity, with Gujarat installing 531 MW thanks to the Surya Urja Rooftop Yojana – Gujarat scheme, JMK Research said.

According to the firm, India is expected to add 11 GW of utility-scale solar capacity, 3 GW of rooftop solar and 2.8 GW of wind capacity in 2021, if there is no new wave of COVID-19 this year.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!