Pralhad Joshi Unveils Five Pillars Powering India's Renewable Energy Future

In a compelling address at the Mercom India Renewables Summit held in New Delhi, Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, spotlighted the Government of India’s unwavering commitment to building a resilient, self-reliant, and future-ready renewable energy ecosystem. Outlining five strategic focus areas, the Minister emphasized how a combination of policy reforms, investment incentives, and innovation are fast-tracking India’s journey toward achieving its clean energy goals.

India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is not only fulfilling its climate and energy commitments but exceeding them well ahead of schedule. Minister Joshi revealed that the country has already surpassed the 50% mark in installed power capacity from non-fossil sources, achieving this milestone five years before its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) timeline.

The Five Strategic Pillars Driving India’s Clean Energy Shift

Minister Joshi identified the following five areas as crucial to India’s clean energy transition:

1. Strengthened Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): Ensuring long-term certainty and financial stability for investors through reliable PPAs.

2. Robust Grid and Energy Storage Infrastructure: Developing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and transmission systems to support renewable integration.

3. Domestic Manufacturing and Self-Reliance: Strengthening India's production capacity for solar and wind components under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

4. Optimised Land Use: Supporting innovative deployments like floating solar, canal-top solar, agrivoltaics, and projects in challenging terrains.

5. Improved Access to Finance: Leveraging public and private capital for sustainable infrastructure, MSME support, and startup-led innovation.

Impressive Growth in Renewable Energy Capacity

India's installed renewable energy capacity has now exceeded 245 GW, comprising:

• 116 GW from solar energy

• 52 GW from wind energy

• The rest from hydro, bioenergy, and other non-fossil sources

This expansion positions India among the top renewable energy-producing nations globally. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), India’s green energy growth in 2024 alone resulted in:

• ₹4 lakh crore in cumulative savings

• $14.9 billion in fossil fuel import avoidance

• 410.9 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided

• $31.7 billion saved in health and pollution-related costs

Flagship Initiatives Fueling the Transition

India's transformation is being powered by innovative programs and major investment schemes, including:

• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: With over 58.7 lakh applications and 17.2 lakh completed rooftop solar installations, this initiative is democratizing clean energy access.

• Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for BESS: A ₹5,400 crore scheme to build 30 GWh of battery storage, with an expected investment inflow of ₹33,000 crore.

• National Transmission Plan for 500 GW: Developed in coordination with the Ministry of Power, CEA, CTU, and POWERGRID, the plan ensures seamless evacuation and grid integration of renewable power.

• PLI Scheme for Solar and Wind: With ₹24,000 crore allocated, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is driving domestic manufacturing of solar PV modules and wind turbines.

• ALMM Expansion and Solar PV Cell List-II: The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) has been expanded to ensure quality, and a new List-II for solar PV cells will be enforced from June 2026.

Innovation, Inclusion, and Green Hydrogen

Recognizing the vital role of innovation and inclusion, the Ministry is supporting clean energy deployment in diverse geographies:

• Floating and canal-top solar systems to reduce land footprint.

• Agrivoltaics to allow dual land use for agriculture and energy.

• Projects in tribal and remote regions to promote regional equity.

• MSME and startup support to encourage next-gen clean tech solutions.

A key component of the green transition is the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which is rapidly progressing with:

• ₹19,744 crore outlay

• 3,000 MW electrolyser capacity allocation

• Approval of over 8.6 lakh tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production

This positions India as a future exporter and global leader in green hydrogen technologies.

A Global Renewable Energy Leader in the Making

India’s clean energy mission is not just about meeting climate targets—it’s about creating a new economic paradigm centered on sustainability, innovation, and equity. With bold reforms and strategic planning, India is steering toward the 500 GW non-fossil energy target by 2030 with confidence.

Shri Joshi concluded by reiterating that India’s clean energy journey is “ambitious but achievable,” and that with the right infrastructure, financial instruments, and community engagement, the country will lead the world in crafting a carbon-neutral future that also boosts economic prosperity.