India's Renewable Power Generation Crosses 100 BU in Q2 FY27

India generated 101 billion units (BU) of renewable electricity, excluding large hydropower, in the second quarter of FY 2026–27 (Q2 FY27, July–September 2026). According to the source, this is the first time quarterly renewable generation has crossed 100 BU. The quarter has ended, so these are completed-period figures. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) published its quarterly energy snapshot on 12 October 2026, and the GKToday article we relied on is dated 13 October 2026.

India's Q2 FY27 renewable power generation: key figures

Why this matters

The 100 BU mark is a milestone for the scale of clean power in India's electricity mix. It should be read alongside the rest of the data. Non-fossil sources supplied about one-third of electricity in the quarter, while coal and lignite still supplied roughly two-thirds. The figures show growing renewable output, not a replacement of coal.

Solar and wind

Solar output rose 39% year-on-year to 51 BU, and wind rose 29% to 45 BU. Solar supplied 10% of India's electricity for the first time in a quarter. It also set a daily generation record of 705 million units on 30 September 2026. The source does not break down the rest of the 101 BU beyond solar and wind.

Demand and capacity additions

Peak electricity demand reached 270 GW on 16 July 2026, 18% above the peak in Q2 FY26. During the quarter, about 7 GW of renewable capacity was added, against 0.8 GW of thermal capacity.

Curtailment of solar power

About 1.8 BU of solar generation was curtailed in July and August because of grid and operational constraints. The source puts this at about 4.2% of total solar generation. It does not make clear which period that percentage covers. Compared with the 51 BU quarterly total, 1.8 BU is a smaller share, so treat the 4.2% figure with caution.

Coal and stocks

Coal and lignite generated 351 BU, and coal plant utilisation was 68%. Coal stocks at power plants stood at 21 million tonnes on 30 September, which is 36% of the normative requirement.

Exam concepts to revise

• Unit of electricity: one unit is one kilowatt-hour (kWh). One BU equals one billion kWh.
• GW versus BU: a gigawatt measures capacity or demand at a moment. A BU measures the energy generated over a period. Peak demand of 270 GW and quarterly generation of 536 BU are different kinds of measure.
• Renewable versus non-fossil: the 101 BU figure excludes large hydropower. The broader non-fossil figure of 177 BU includes renewables, hydropower and nuclear.
• Financial-year quarters: Q2 FY27 covers July–September 2026, which is part of FY 2026–27.

Generation share versus capacity target

An RMI report from May 2025 notes India's goal of 500 GW (50%) of power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2031–32, and says the percentage part of that target was met in 2025. That is a target for installed capacity. The 33% non-fossil share in Q2 FY27 is a share of electricity actually generated. Do not mix the two.

What the evidence does not cover

• The CREA snapshot itself was not available to us. The figures come from a secondary summary, so check the original CREA publication for exact definitions and methodology.
• The source does not state the nuclear generation figure or explain the remainder of renewable generation beyond solar and wind.
• The RMI report is background from May 2025 and says nothing about Q2 FY27 results.
• Nothing here shows that this topic will be asked in any exam.

FAQ

What does 101 BU mean?

It means 101 billion kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity, excluding large hydropower, generated in July–September 2026.

Does 101 BU include large hydropower?

No. Large hydropower generated a separate 60 BU in Q2 FY27 and is counted in the broader non-fossil figure.

Practice MCQs

Question 1

How much renewable electricity, excluding large hydropower, did India generate in Q2 FY27?

1. 51 BU
2. 101 BU
3. 177 BU
4. 536 BU

Answer: 101 BU — the source reports this as the first quarterly renewable generation above 100 BU.

Question 2

One billion units (1 BU) of electricity is equal to:

1. One billion kilowatt-hours
2. One billion gigawatts
3. One million kilowatt-hours
4. One thousand gigawatt-hours per day

Answer: One billion kilowatt-hours — the source defines a unit as one kWh and one BU as one billion kWh.

Question 3

Which source supplied about 66% of India's electricity generation in Q2 FY27?

1. Solar
2. Wind
3. Large hydropower
4. Coal and lignite

Answer: Coal and lignite — they generated 351 BU, about 66% of the total.

Question 4

Which organisation published the quarterly energy snapshot on 12 October 2026 cited in this report?

1. Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air
2. Rocky Mountain Institute
3. International Energy Agency
4. Solar Energy Corporation of India

Answer: Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air — the source says CREA published the snapshot on 12 October 2026.

Question 5

On which date did solar generation set a daily record of 705 million units?

1. 16 July 2026
2. 12 October 2026
3. 30 September 2026
4. 13 October 2026

Answer: 30 September 2026 — the source gives this as the date of the daily solar record.