India's Transition to Clean Energy: A Review of Current Contributions from Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract

Energy is a key catalyst for the economic growth of any nation. Lack of power acts as a development impediment in developing nations like India. India has seen a rather rapid increase in energy consumption in recent years due to both economic development and population expansion. India can address its energy constraint by utilizing renewable energy sources as wind, solar, geothermal, ocean, biomass, and fuel cell technologies. There is a high demand for electricity due to the Indian economy's rapid expansion. The majority of today's electricity demand is met by coal-fired power plants, which puts pressure on fossil fuels. Local and regional environmental deterioration and greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. Therefore, in addition to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, energy security must be improved. One of the greener energy sources is renewable energy. In the current energy context, it is increasinglynecessary to use renewable resources in an efficient manner in order to reduce the negative environmental effects of fossil fuels and ensure a sustainable power supply. This review paper explores the current status and growth trends of renewable energy sources in India, including solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy. It assesses their contributions to the national energy mix, highlights key policies driving the clean energy transition, and discusses challenges and opportunities in scaling up renewable adoption for a sustainable energy future.