- India’s rapid solar growth has reduced fossil fuel-based electricity generation during the middle of the day, according to Ember.
- The analysis found fossil generation at 1pm was 10GW lower in the first half of 2026 than at the same time in 2023.
- But fossil generation after sunset has risen by 22GW over the same period, as electricity demand remains high when solar power drops.
- Ember says India will need more battery storage and grid flexibility to use daytime solar power in the evening and reduce pressure on coal-fired generation.
India’s rapid solar expansion has reduced fossil fuel-based electricity generation in the middle of the day by 10 gigawatts (GW), equivalent to the output of around 15 modern coal power units, according to a new analysis. But fossil generation after sunset has risen by 22 GW, the analysis by global energy think tank Ember found, highlighting India’s growing need for battery storage and other sources of flexibility in the power system.
On an average day in the first half of 2026, fossil generation fell to around 125 GW at 1 pm, compared with 135 GW at the same time in the first half of 2023. But between 5 pm and 7 am, fossil generation averaged 168 GW, up 22 GW from three years earlier, according to Ember.
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