Solar tenders plunge 53% YoY in Q1 2025, auctions drop 39%

The government released around 14.4 GW of solar tenders in Q1 2025, a 53.1% drop compared to 30.7 GW in Q1 2024, reported Mercom. The Centre set an annual bidding target of 50 GW for renewable projects, with a minimum allocation of 10 GW for wind power. The four implementing agencies, NTPC, NHPC, SECI, and SJVN, together issued tenders amounting to 77% of the 50 GW annual target for FY25, the energy news portal noted. They were responsible for 41% of all solar tenders floated in Q1 2025.

Auction announcements also fell 39% from 10.5 GW in Q4 2024 to 6.4 GW in Q1 2025. The auctioned capacity was down 74.4% YoY from 25 GW. The auctions included standalone solar, solar + storage, and wind-solar hybrid power projects. Auction activity took a hit this quarter, driven by higher domestic module prices and a tight supply of DCR-compliant modules. What’s more concerning is the delay in power sale agreement signings by distribution companies, which has directly impacted developer interest and participation in recent auctions, the report said.

MNRE lowers off-grid solar module efficiency threshold

The Centre reduced the minimum efficiency for crystalline silicon technology modules used in off-grid solar projects to 18% from 19%, reported Mercom. The efficiency for cadmium telluride thin film technology modules remains the same. The changes apply to off-grid solar power projects/applications, including solar lamps, lights, streetlights, and fans, and exclude solar pumps and rooftop systems.

Energy efficiency is a key component of energy transition initiatives. While renewable energy in India has evolved rapidly, energy efficiency has not kept pace. For India’s energy transition programmes to scale quickly, commercial and industrial (C&I) units must adopt energy-efficiency solutions to reduce emissions. 

The global wind energy sector dangerously behind in the race against climate change: Study

According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) report, the current growth projections show the industry will deliver only 77% of the installed capacity required by 2030 to maintain a viable pathway to net-zero emissions. This shortfall threatens international efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, the report stated, DTE reported.

117 GW of new wind capacity installed worldwide in 2024 — a marginal increase from the 116.6 GW added in 2023. Total global wind power capacity now stands at 1,136 GW.

GWEC suggested this growth remains insufficient when measured against the world’s rapidly increasing electricity needs. China accounted for 70% of all new installations last year. Policy instability in key markets, bureaucratic bottlenecks in project permitting, and inadequate investment in grid infrastructure all contribute to slowing the sector’s expansion. 

The report highlighted Africa and the Middle East as regions of exceptional progress, where onshore wind capacity additions doubled in 2024 compared to previous years. However, the offshore wind sector experienced a concerning setback, with only 8 GW of new capacity installed globally in 2024 — representing a 26 per cent decline from the previous year and the lowest figure since 2021.

Germany’s energy transition hits reverse so far in 2025

Clean energy sources generated the smallest amount of Germany’s electricity in over a decade so far in 2025, dealing a blow to the energy transition momentum of Europe’s largest economy, reported Reuters citing data from the energy thinktank Ember. The data revealed that “electricity generation from clean power sources totalled just under 80 terawatt hours (TWh) during the first four months of the year…this is down 16% from the same months in 2024 and is the lowest for that period since at least 2015”, the report noted.

The newswire highlighted that to make up for the drop, fossil fuel output rose by 10% from a year ago and the share of fossil fuels reached its highest level since 2018. “If German firms opt to expand both coal and gas-fired output in order to keep up with overall power demand, total power emissions will keep climbing and could further undermine Germany’s status as a regional energy transition leader,” the report stated.

UK: Every new car park may have to be covered with solar panels

UK ministers are considering introducing a mandate for solar canopies on top of new car parks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Times reported. The government estimated that the owner of an 80-space car park could save about £28,000 on electricity bills by covering it with solar panels and using the electricity rather than exporting it to the grid.

About The Author

Editorial Team

A team of handpicked and dedicated writers committed to fact check each climate-related statement. Go to the roots and intent of each policy implemented, internationally and at home to help you understand climate better

See author's posts