India set a new record by adding 52,537 MW (520.51 GW) of generation capacity from all sources in the fiscal year 2026 up to January 31. This marks the highest capacity addition in a single year, surpassing the previous record of 34,054 MW in FY25. The addition included 39,657 MW from renewable energy, comprising 34,955 MW of solar and 4,613 MW of wind capacity, elevating the total installed capacity to 520.51 GW.
The government shared this information during the ‘Bharat Electricity Summit 2026,’ a four-day event that commenced on Thursday. The summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, regulators, investors, and civil society to deliberate on energy transition and sectoral reforms. India’s consistent growth in power generation capacity positions the country well to meet increasing consumption demands and support economic growth, as per an official statement.
In FY26, India met a peak power demand of 242.49 GW, while the power shortage decreased to 0.03% by December 2025 from 4.2% in FY14. The government highlighted efforts to enhance the transmission and transformation infrastructure of the power system. Investments in new substations, upgraded transformers, and expanded transmission corridors have facilitated efficient electricity movement from generation to load centres across states, reducing bottlenecks and enhancing grid stability.
The reliable power supply has lessened dependence on diesel generation and traditional fuels, leading to cost savings and improved environmental outcomes. India’s national transmission network, the world’s largest synchronous national grid, now spans over 5 lakh circuit kilometres and has reached a transformation capacity of 1,407 gigavolt amperes (GVA), the statement mentioned. Initiatives like the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), and Saubhagya have mobilized significant investments, electrified thousands of villages, and provided electricity connections to millions of households.
