India's Clean Energy Surge Flattens Power-Sector Emissions for First Time in Decades

A new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) for Carbon Brief reveals that India's coal-fired power generation showed no growth between the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2026—the first such two-year period in over 50 years—despite rising electricity demand. Clean energy sources met the entire 7% increase in power demand (63 TWh, equivalent to Switzerland's total consumption), driven by a record 77 GW addition of solar capacity along with wind, hydro, and nuclear growth. This resulted in power-sector CO2 emissions remaining flat, following a 2.2% decline in H1 2025 and a 2.3% rise in H1 2026. While fossil-fuel generation stagnated, 8.5 GW of new coal capacity was added, reducing utilization rates and increasing costs for consumers. India still has 43 GW of coal plants under construction as of June 2026, with coal comprising about two-thirds of power output. However, total national emissions rose 3.7% year-on-year in H1 2026 due to growth in industrial sectors like steel and cement. Imported coal use in power fell sharply (up to 38%), easing import dependence. The shift highlights India's accelerating renewable deployment but underscores ongoing fossil fuel investments in power and industry, including coal-to-chemicals and coking coal for steel. Experts note the need for grid flexibility, transmission upgrades, and storage to sustain the trend, while industry decarbonization remains a key challenge.