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India added 30.6 GW of renewable energy capacity during the January–June 2026 period, marking a 25% increase over the 24.5 GW added in the corresponding period last year. The growth was driven primarily by record solar installations, reflecting the country’s continued push towards expanding clean energy capacity.

Solar power accounted for the bulk of the additions, with 26 GW of new capacity installed in the first six months of the year, a 43% year-on-year increase. The surge was led by strong growth in utility-scale projects as well as rooftop solar installations, supported by policy initiatives and rising demand. In contrast, wind capacity additions declined to around 3 GW, down 16% from the year-ago period.

India’s total installed renewable energy capacity reached about 230 GW by the end of June 2026, further strengthening the country’s position among the world’s leading renewable energy markets. Solar continued to account for the largest share of the renewable energy mix, followed by wind, large hydro, bioenergy and small hydro projects.

The report noted that rooftop solar recorded exceptional growth during the period, aided by the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, while utility-scale solar installations also maintained strong momentum. At the same time, the pace of wind power additions remained relatively subdued despite continued capacity expansion.

India has been accelerating renewable energy deployment to achieve its target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based installed power capacity by 2030. The robust capacity addition during the first half of 2026 highlights the sector’s sustained growth, with solar energy continuing to lead the country’s clean energy transition.

India’s ambitions to become a global export hub for clean fuel are rapidly moving from policy documents to active construction sites. The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), backed by an initial ₹19,744 crore outlay, is beginning to reshape the industrial landscape in 2026. For developers and EPCs operating in the renewable energy markets, the secondary effects of this mission are creating an unprecedented pipeline for utility-scale solar and wind projects.

Here is a breakdown of the mission’s 2026 milestones, the mechanics of the SIGHT incentive scheme, and what this means for the broader renewable energy ecosystem.

1. The Core Objective: 5 MMT by 2030

Launched in 2023, the NGHM aims to achieve a green hydrogen production capacity of 5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) per annum by 2030. Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water in an electrolyser powered exclusively by renewable energy, ensuring a zero-carbon footprint.

The 2026 Reality Check: As of February 2026, India has successfully commissioned approximately 8,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen capacity. While this is a fraction of the 2030 target, it represents tangible, physical progress after years of regulatory setup. The near-term demand is being driven almost entirely by the fertilizer and oil refining sectors, which are actively replacing fossil-fuel-derived “grey” hydrogen to reduce their Scope 1 emissions.

2. The SIGHT Programme: Breaking Price Barriers

The engine driving this adoption is SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition), administered by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). SIGHT provides direct financial incentives across two main components:

• Mode 1: Incentives for the domestic manufacturing of electrolysers (building a localized supply chain).
• Mode 2: Direct production incentives (in ₹/kg) to reduce the final cost of the green hydrogen itself.

A Historic 2026 Milestone: The most significant development this year has been SECI’s competitive bidding for Green Ammonia (a hydrogen derivative used in fertilizers). The SIGHT tender achieved discovered prices of ₹49.75 to ₹64.74 per kg. This is a massive breakthrough, coming in significantly lower than the prevailing global benchmark of roughly ₹110 per kg.

This pricing proves that domestically produced green ammonia can achieve near-parity with conventional grey ammonia in specific industrial use cases.

3. Why This is a Goldmine for Solar EPCs

The National Green Hydrogen Mission is not just a hydrogen story; it is fundamentally a renewable energy story. Producing 5 MMT of green hydrogen requires massive amounts of electricity.

To meet the 2030 production target, India will need to add an estimated 125 GW of dedicated renewable energy capacity just to power the electrolysis process.

• The EPC Opportunity: Green hydrogen producers (like Reliance, Adani, and L&T) must build gigawatt-scale solar energy and wind parks to feed their electrolysers. This creates an enormous secondary market for solar EPC contractors who will design and construct these dedicated power generation assets.
• Energy Storage Integration: Because electrolysers require a constant, stable power supply to be economically viable, these projects cannot rely on daytime solar alone. They demand integrated solar-plus-storage or solar-wind hybrid systems, accelerating the demand for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

4. State-Level Policies and Port Hubs

The central government is not acting alone. To attract the estimated ₹8 lakh crore in total investments required by 2030, individual states are rolling out aggressive green hydrogen policies.

States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan are offering 100% exemptions on electricity duty, waivers on land conversion charges, and extended 30-day banking of renewable power for green hydrogen production units.

Furthermore, to facilitate international export, the government has officially designated Deendayal Port (Kandla), V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin), and Paradip Port as specialized “Green Hydrogen Hubs,” equipped to handle the bunkering and shipping of green fuels.

THDC India Ltd. has declared the Commercial Operation Date (COD) for its 11 MWac Floating Solar Plant located on the Raw Water Reservoir of the Khurja Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) in Uttar Pradesh. The plant commenced commercial operations on July 17, 2026, following successful commissioning and receipt of the necessary approvals.

With the commissioning of the floating solar project, THDC India’s total installed and commercial power generation capacity has increased to 3,918 MW. The addition also strengthens the renewable energy portfolio of the company, which is a subsidiary of NTPC Ltd.

The new solar installation has also enhanced the overall capacity of the NTPC Group, taking its total installed capacity to 90,965 MW, while its commercial capacity has reached 89,885 MW.

The floating solar plant has been developed on the raw water reservoir of the Khurja STPP, enabling clean energy generation without requiring additional land. The project forms part of THDC’s strategy to expand its renewable energy footprint while making efficient use of existing infrastructure.

India’s agricultural sector consumes a massive portion of the nation’s energy, largely driven by inefficient, grid-dependent pumps or heavily polluting diesel generators. To combat this and boost farmer incomes, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM).

Initially hampered by pandemic-era delays, the scheme has been given a massive new lease on life. The Indian Government has officially extended the deadline for Phase 1 to March 31, 2027 (for projects signed by late 2025) and is preparing to roll out PM KUSUM 2.0 with a massive ₹50,000 crore total expected outlay.

Here is the complete, updated guide for EPC developers, farmers, and energy professionals looking to navigate PM KUSUM in 2026.

1. What is the PM KUSUM Scheme in 2026?

At its core, the PM KUSUM scheme is designed to “de-dieselize” Indian agriculture. It provides heavy financial subsidies—typically around 60%—to help farmers install solar agriculture pumps or set up small-scale solar power plants.

The scheme operates through three distinct components:

• Component A (Solar Power Plants): Farmers, cooperatives, or panchayats can set up decentralized ground or stilt-mounted solar plants (up to 2 MW) on barren, fallow, or pasture lands. The power generated is sold directly to the local DISCOM at a pre-determined tariff, providing the landowner with a steady, 25-year income stream.
• Component B (Standalone Pumps): Designed for off-grid farms, this component subsidizes the installation of new standalone solar agricultural water pumps to replace expensive diesel units.
• Component C (Grid-Connected Pumps): For farmers who already have grid-connected electric pumps, this component subsidizes the solarization of that pump. The farmer uses the generated solar power for irrigation and can sell the surplus power back to the grid. Component C also allows states to solarize entire agricultural feeders (Feeder Level Solarisation) instead of individual pumps.

2. The Financials: Subsidies and Bank Loans

The financial structuring of PM KUSUM is designed to make solar adoption highly accessible for the average farmer.

For Components B and C, the typical funding structure is as follows:

• Central Subsidy (CFA): 30% of the benchmark cost.
• State Subsidy: At least 30%.
• Bank Loan: Up to 30%.
• Farmer Contribution: The farmer only needs to pay roughly 10% upfront.

Note: For North-Eastern States, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Lakshadweep, and A&N Islands, the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) is increased to 50%, keeping the farmer’s contribution at a maximum of 20%.

3. Critical 2026 Update: The ALMM List-II Mandate

If you are an EPC contractor or a farmer executing a PM KUSUM project this year, you must adhere to strict new domestic manufacturing rules.

As of June 1, 2026, any PM KUSUM project being commissioned must use solar modules manufactured from ALMM List-II certified domestic cells. This is a significant procurement constraint added on top of the existing requirement to use ALMM List-I modules. Sourcing cheap, non-compliant imported modules will result in the total forfeiture of your Central Financial Assistance.

4. PM KUSUM 2.0: What is Coming Next?

While Phase 1 is still active, the industry is eagerly awaiting the formal notification of PM KUSUM 2.0.

• The Agrivoltaics Push: A confirmed 10 GW component of the new scheme will be dedicated to Agrivoltaics. This allows for “dual land use,” where solar panels are mounted high above the ground on steel structures, allowing farmers to continue growing crops beneath them.
• Budget Increases: The Union Budget for FY2026-27 confirmed a 66% increase in the annual KUSUM budget allocation (reaching approximately ₹5,000 crore).
• Awaiting Guidelines: The formal MNRE notification—which will detail the new per-MW benchmark costs, state-wise targets, and exact subsidy structures for PM KUSUM 2.0—is expected in the second half of 2026.

5. How to Apply and Avoid Fraud

Because PM KUSUM is implemented jointly by the Central Government and individual State nodal agencies, applications do not run on a single national form. Each state opens its own application window.

To apply, you must navigate through the official central portal to find your specific state’s portal.

Official Government Links:

• Central Information Portal: Start your journey at the official MNRE PM-KUSUM Page.
• State Application Windows: You can find the links to individual state portals (like UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, etc.) via the PM KUSUM Central Landing Site.

⚠️ FRAUD ALERT: The MNRE has issued strong warnings regarding fake websites claiming to be the official PM KUSUM registration portals. Fraudulent sites using domains like .org, .in, or .com (such as kusumyojanaonline.in.net or pmkisankusumyojana.com) are attempting to collect fake registration fees.

Never pay registration fees online to a non-government website. Always ensure you are on a .gov.in domain and verify your state’s nodal agency before transferring any funds. If in doubt, call the official MNRE Toll-Free Number: 1800-180-3333.

BikeWo Green Tech Limited has partnered with Yubhas Renewables Private Limited to commence operational validation of solar-assisted electric three-wheelers designed for rural and semi-urban mobility applications. Through the collaboration, BikeWo will leverage its rider network and operational expertise to evaluate the vehicle under commercial operating conditions ahead of its planned market deployment.

The pilot programme will assess the vehicle’s performance across key parameters including range, battery efficiency, payload capacity, ride quality, thermal performance, braking, operating economics, and overall reliability under diverse operating conditions. Operational feedback from BikeWo’s last-mile network will be used to refine the vehicle’s design and performance ahead of wider market deployment.

Beyond technology validation, the partnership seeks to create a broader ecosystem that combines clean mobility with rural entrepreneurship. The two companies are exploring a rural development initiative to train young people in vehicle operations, maintenance, customer service, and business management, enabling them to become owner-operators and build sustainable livelihoods through clean transportation.

As part of the initiative, eligible participants may also be able to access financing opportunities under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, subject to applicable eligibility criteria and lender approvals. The long-term objective is to enable trained individuals to become owner-operators of solar-assisted electric vehicles that can support passenger transport, agricultural logistics, village deliveries, healthcare access, and other essential last-mile services while generating sustainable income for rural families.

Commenting on the partnership, Hiten Pal Saklani, CEO, BikeWo Green Tech Limited, said, “At BikeWo, we are constantly exploring innovative mobility solutions that improve operational efficiency while contributing to a more sustainable future. Partnering with Yubhas Renewables provides an opportunity to evaluate a promising clean mobility technology under commercial operating conditions while exploring new avenues for rural entrepreneurship and livelihood generation.”

Sai Satyam Pradhan, Founder & CEO, Yubhas Renewables, said, “Our vision is to build a practical solar-assisted mobility platform that addresses the unique transportation needs of rural India. Partnering with BikeWo gives us access to valuable operational feedback that will help refine the vehicle for reliability, affordability, and commercial viability. Beyond the technology, we see this as an opportunity to create a sustainable ecosystem where clean mobility can support entrepreneurship, generate livelihoods, and improve access to essential services across rural communities.”

The partnership underscores BikeWo’s commitment to supporting next-generation clean mobility technologies while enhancing operational efficiency for its rider network. Together, BikeWo and Yubhas Renewables aim to build a scalable ecosystem that accelerates sustainable transportation, strengthens rural entrepreneurship, and contributes to India’s transition towards greener, more inclusive mobility solutions.

DCM Shriram Limited has entered into a definitive agreement with Serentica Renewables India 38 Pvt. Ltd. for the development of a 58 MW peak hybrid renewable energy power project, primarily for its energy-intensive business in Bharuch, Gujarat. Upon completion, DCM Shriram’s total renewable energy capacity will rise to 176 MW (peak) across it two sites in Bharuch & Kota, significantly expanding its clean energy base. The project is expected to be commissioned by June 2027. Under the agreement, DCM Shriram Limited will invest up to Rs. 105 crores in one or more tranches to acquire a minimum 26% equity stake in Serentica Renewables India 38 Pvt. Ltd.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Sabaleel Nandy, Executive Director & CEO, DCM Shriram Chemicals, said, “The agreement is a strategic step in expanding the share of renewable energy across our chemical operations in Bharuch and our ongoing efforts towards making the business more sustainable. The project is expected to help avoid nearly 0.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually while increasing the share of renewable power. Further given, that power is one of the most significant input costs,this will help improve cost efficiency, provide greater visibility into long-term power costs and reduce exposure to fluctuations in conventional energy prices.”

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Akshay Hiranandani, CEO, Serentica Renewables, said, “Our partnership with DCM Shriram Chemicals marks another significant step in advancing India’s industrial decarbonization journey. Through a 190 MW renewable energy project comprising solar power from Rajasthan and wind power from Karnataka, we will supply 58 MW renewable power to DCM Shriram Chemicals Bharuch plant, enabling reliable and sustainable energy for its operations.’’

The agreement strengthens DCM Shriram Chemicals renewable energy portfolio while supporting the long-term energy requirements of its Bharuch operations. Once commissioned, the project is expected to contribute meaningfully to the company’s efforts to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and build a more resilient and sustainable manufacturing base.