Pralhad Joshi
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India has not just set ambitious targets in the renewable energy sector, we have delivered with resolve, innovation, and unmatched scale.”
Today, India stands as one of the world’s foremost clean energy leaders, ranked third in solar energy, fourth in wind power, and fourth in total renewable energy capacity. With over 232 GW of renewable capacity installed and another 176 GW under construction, we are not just meeting our energy needs but actively shaping the global discourse on energy transition. This progress is not coincidental, it is the outcome of bold reforms, timely decisions, and a clear long-term vision pursued consistently under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi over the past 11 years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a clear vision to build a robust renewable energy ecosystem. As Chief Minister of Gujarat, he pioneered large-scale solar projects long before clean energy became a global priority. After assuming office in 2014, he scaled that vision nationally. As a result, today India stands as a global leader in solar, wind, and clean energy innovation.
In the past year alone, we added a record 29 GW of renewable energy to the national grid. Solar capacity has grown from just 2.63 GW in 2014 to over 108 GW in 2025, a staggering 41-fold increase. Wind capacity has also surpassed 51 GW. These projects, spread across the length and breadth of the country, are now being stitched together through a unified transmission system, realising the vision of One Nation One Grid, where every Indian, regardless of geography, can access reliable power.
But to appreciate the scale of this transformation, we must remember where we began. In 2014, India’s power sector was in deep crisis. Electricity shortages were chronic. The double grid failure in 2012, first impacting the Northern Region with 36,000 MW of load loss and subsequently causing the collapse of the Northern, Eastern, and North-Eastern grids affecting 48,000 MW is still fresh in our memory. Transmission infrastructure was overburdened, and investor confidence was low. Renewable energy was considered expensive and unreliable. The global community did not view India as a serious clean energy player. And within the country, public expectations were modest at best. Policy indecisiveness had also contributed to India being labelled as one of the ‘Fragile Five’ economies
That scenario has changed decisively. India has gone from energy scarcity to energy atmanirbharata. From lagging behind, we now lead by example.
Here, I highlight 11 transformative reforms in the RE sector over the last 11 years under the Modi Government, each reflecting our commitment to self-reliance, inclusive growth and sustainability.
First, the shift from feed-in tariffs to a transparent, market-driven bidding process marked a watershed moment. Competitive bidding and tariff rationalisation led to solar tariffs plummeting from ?10.95 per unit in 2010 to an astonishing ?1.99 per unit by 2021, positioning India as a global price leader in solar power. This reform anchored investor confidence and established price parity with fossil fuels.
Second, another key enabler has been the waiver of inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charges. By removing these charges, the government eliminated one of the major bottlenecks for project developers. Extended until 2032 for offshore wind and 2030 for green hydrogen, this policy effectively unshackled renewable energy deployment from geographic limitations and encouraged pan-India energy flow.
Third, to reduce import dependence and create jobs, the Government introduced the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar manufacturing with ?24,000 crore in incentives. This has ignited a domestic manufacturing boom, from 2.3 GW in 2014 to 88 GW in module and from 0 to 25 GW in cell capacity by 2025. India is no longer just deploying solar, it is making it, too. This strengthens supply chains and boosts energy security.
Fourth, to promote self-reliance and boost domestic manufacturing, the Government implemented the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), Approved List of Components and Manufacturers (ALCM) as well as Domestic Content Requirements (DCR), ensuring quality assurance, supply chain integrity, and reducing dependence on imported solar components. These measures have created a level playing field for Indian manufacturers, paving the way for a resilient and competitive solar ecosystem.
Fifth, under the Prime Minister’s vision, the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana has become a transformative initiative, targeting rooftop solar installation in one crore households to create 30 GW of decentralised capacity. With nearly 13.75 lakhs households already onboarded, it is transforming access to clean energy at the grassroots level.
Sixth,the PM-KUSUM schemeis solarising agriculture by enabling farmers to deploy decentralised solar systems. Over 11 lakh pumps have been solarised, transforming India’s most energy-intensive sector into a climate ally.
Seventh, India is no longer following the world in clean energy, it is leading it. From modest inflows of FDI in 2014, India attracted $19.98 billion FDI in RE sector during April 2020 to September 2024 emerging as one of the top FDI attracting sectors in India today, reflecting its rise in global stature and economic potential. Another key catalyst in this journey is the National Green Hydrogen Mission, backed by an investment of nearly ?20,000 crore, which aims to make India a global hub for clean fuels.
Eighth, transmission infrastructure remains the backbone of the transition. India’s investment in Green Energy Corridors and the 2030 transmission roadmap ensures that renewable energy projects can connect to the grid efficiently and reliably. This backbone reduces curtailment risks and enhances grid stability.
Ninth, the government is also tapping into the vast potential of India’s coastline. Offshore wind initiatives, with 37 GW of tenders planned by 2030, are being backed by viability gap funding and robust site surveys. Pilot projects in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are already laying the foundation for India’s next renewable frontier.
Tenth, recognising the challenge of intermittency, India has also moved decisively with a hybrid and round-the-clock power policy. By promoting wind-solar hybrids and firm & dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE), India is building 24/7 clean energy solutions. With over 65 GW in the pipeline, this is vital for grid reliability and for substituting fossil-based baseload power.
Eleventh, in tribal and remote areas, we are reaching households that never had electricity before. Through special solar programs for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and under the PM JANMAN mission and the CPSU Scheme Phase-II, thousands of homes have been electrified. These are not just energy programs, they are instruments of empowerment and inclusive growth.
Global Recognition and Domestic Resolve
India is not just progressing at home. We are leading globally. The International Solar Alliance, launched by Prime Minister Shri Modi, has brought together over 100 countries. The vision of ‘One Sun One World One Grid’, is showing the world how solar power can unite nations. It is also the first international and inter-governmental organisation to have headquarters in India.The world is watching India. And the world is learning from India.
At the RE-Invest 2024, investors from across the world committed 32.45 lakh crores by 2030 to India’s clean energy future. A National Workshop on Mobilizing Finance for Renewable Energy was also organised with top officials from all major banks to strengthen financial support and accelerate investment in the sector. Regular meetings with Chief Ministers under the guidance of Prime Minister are also being held to fast-track renewable energy projects and foster a competitive environment among states to perform and innovate.
At the recently held Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog on 24th May 2025, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held detailed discussions with all Chief Ministers on creating job opportunities in the clean energy sector. Initiatives such as Suryamitra, Vayumitra, and Jal Urjamitra were highlighted as key skilling programmes aimed at preparing a future-ready green workforce.
The Road Ahead
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has set a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030. As of now, we are already at 228 GW Another 176 GW is under construction. And 72 GW is in the bidding stage. We are not just on track. We are ahead of the curve. This will not only enable us to meet our growing energy needs, but also support our power demand, which is expected to double by 2032.
At the same time, we are steadily working toward our long-term goal of achieving 1,800 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2047.Together, these milestones form the backbone of our commitment to building a Viksit Bharat, powered by clean and inclusive growth.
The sun is shining on a new India. And under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we are ready to lead the world.
(The writer is Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy)