GST Cut Boosts Energy Transition, Saves ₹1.5 Lakh Cr

New Delhi, Sep 17 (PTI) The GST rationalisation will accelerate India's clean energy transition and can potentially save up to Rs 1.5 lakh crore for adding remaining 300GW capacity by 2030, MNRE said on Wednesday.

This assumes significance in view of India's ambitious target of having 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. India has about 193 GW of installed RE capacity excluding large hydro plants and including 123 GW of solar and about 53 GW of wind energy as of August 31, 2025.

Given that India plans to add around 300 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, even a modest 2 to 3 per cent cost reduction can free up Rs 1-1.5 lakh crore in investment capacity, a statement from Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) said.

According to the statement, the rationalization of GST rates across the renewable energy value chain from 12 per cent to 5 per cent will bring down the cost of clean energy projects, making electricity more affordable and directly benefiting households, farmers, industries, and developers.

For instance, the capital cost of a utility-scale solar project, which typically amounts to around Rs 3.5-4 crore per MW, will now see savings of Rs 20-25 lakh per MW.

At the scale of a 500 MW solar park, this translates into project cost reductions of over Rs 100 crore, significantly improving tariff competitiveness.

The reduction in GST is expected to lower levelised renewable tariffs easing the financial burden of electricity procurement for distribution companies (DISCOMs).

This could translate into nationwide annual savings of Rs 2,000-3,000 crore in power procurement costs.

End consumers will benefit from greater access to affordable clean electricity, reinforcing the long-term sustainability of India's power sector.

The reform will make rooftop solar systems more affordable for households.

A typical 3 kW rooftop system will now be cheaper by Rs 9,000-10,500, making it easier for lakhs of families to adopt solar energy and accelerating large-scale uptake under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

Farmers under the PM-KUSUM scheme will also benefit significantly.

A 5 HP solar pump, costing about Rs 2.5 lakh, will now be cheaper by nearly Rs 17,500. At the scale of 10 lakh solar pumps, farmers collectively stand to save Rs 1,750 crore, making irrigation more affordable and sustainable.

Rural and underserved regions will also gain from cheaper decentralized solutions such as mini-grids, livelihood applications, and solar water pumps.

The shorter payback periods and improved returns will empower schools, health centres, and small businesses with clean and reliable energy access.

Lower GST will enhance the competitiveness of Indian-made renewable energy equipment by reducing module and component costs by 3-4 per cent, supporting the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

With India targeting 100 GW of solar manufacturing capacity by 2030, the reform will encourage fresh investment into domestic manufacturing hubs.

Considering that every GW of manufacturing creates about 5,000 jobs, the reform could support 5 to 7 lakh direct and indirect jobs over the next decade, strengthening India's clean energy industrial ecosystem.

The GST cut will not only reduce the levelized cost of energy but also boost investor confidence, enabling faster signing of power purchase agreements and quicker project commissioning.

Each GW of solar saves about 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 annually; faster deployment enabled by GST rationalisation could therefore avoid an additional 50 million tonne to 70 million tonne of CO2 emissions per year by 2030.

By making renewable energy more affordable and accessible, this reform aligns with India's international commitments under the Paris Agreement while advancing the nation's target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

It firmly positions India as a leader in the global fight against climate change.

The revised GST rates will come into effect from September 22, 2025.

This landmark decision will directly benefit millions of consumers, farmers, developers, and manufacturers, while contributing to the twin goals of green growth and energy independence.

It underscores the government's commitment to ensuring that clean, affordable, and sustainable energy becomes the foundation of India's journey towards Viksit Bharat.