India’s clean energy transition is emerging as a key pillar of the country’s industrial competitiveness, trade positioning, and long-term economic resilience, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi said while addressing the CII Annual Business Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

The Minister stated that India’s target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 is driving the development of a globally competitive and self-reliant energy ecosystem. He noted that the concept of Aatmanirbharta has evolved into a model of resilient and sustainable growth, highlighting India’s achievements in areas such as digital public infrastructure, vaccine production, and defence manufacturing exports.

Shri Joshi said that sustainability and self-reliance are becoming central to future economic growth, adding that energy policy is now closely linked with industrial and trade policy. He observed that global carbon-linked trade regulations are reshaping international markets, making renewable energy adoption increasingly important for Indian industries to maintain export competitiveness.

Highlighting India’s renewable energy progress, the Minister said the country’s non-fossil fuel capacity has grown from 81 GW in 2014 to 288 GW currently, marking an increase of over 256 percent. Solar energy capacity has expanded from 2.8 GW to 155 GW, while wind energy capacity has risen from 21 GW to 56.4 GW.

He also noted that renewable energy contributed significantly to meeting India’s record peak power demand of 256 GW. According to Shri Joshi, India has continued to attract strong investment in renewable energy despite a global decline in clean energy investments, reflecting investor confidence in the country’s energy transition.

The Minister outlined several policy measures introduced to support the sector, including Renewable Consumption Obligation trajectories, Carbon Credit Certificate Regulations 2026, green ammonia procurement agreements, and reforms aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing and investor confidence.

Shri Joshi emphasised that renewable energy is becoming a major factor in the competitiveness of industries such as steel, aluminium, automotive, chemicals, and textiles. He also highlighted the growing importance of green hydrogen, battery storage, pumped hydro, offshore wind, and round-the-clock renewable energy solutions.

Calling for continued collaboration between government and industry, the Minister said India remains on track to achieve its 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target by 2030. He added that future growth will require stronger integration of generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure alongside enhanced grid resilience.

Shri Joshi invited industry stakeholders and global investors to participate in the upcoming Renewable Energy Global Investors Meet scheduled later this year, stating that India aims to emerge as a global benchmark for sustainable industrial transformation through scale, speed, skill, and Aatmanirbharta.

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