India Global Renewable Energy Leadership took centre stage at the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency held in Abu Dhabi, where India strongly reiterated its commitment to a fair, inclusive and sustainable global energy transition. Representing the country, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi delivered India’s national statement, highlighting achievements, long-term goals and the need for deeper global cooperation to accelerate renewable energy growth.

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The address reflected India’s growing confidence as a major clean energy player and its determination to balance climate responsibility with development needs. As one of the fastest-growing energy markets in the world, India is positioning itself as a key driver of global renewable energy expansion.

A Vision Rooted in Equity and Long-Term Stability

India’s energy transition strategy is built on the idea that climate action must be fair and inclusive. The Union Minister underlined that India’s approach places equal importance on environmental protection, economic growth and social development. The country’s long-term energy planning focuses on ensuring that clean energy growth benefits all sections of society, especially in developing regions.

India has committed to achieving 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity by 2030. This ambitious target is supported by stable policies, clear regulations and strong political will. In the longer term, India aims to reach net zero emissions by 2070, aligning national priorities with global climate objectives while allowing space for economic growth and poverty reduction.

Strong Progress Ahead of Global Commitments

One of the most notable highlights shared at the Assembly was India’s early achievement of major climate and capacity milestones. In 2025, India reached 50 percent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, achieving this goal five years ahead of its timeline under the Paris Agreement commitments.

India’s non-fossil fuel energy capacity has now crossed 266 gigawatts, placing the country among global leaders in renewable energy deployment. This progress has been driven by rapid expansion in solar and wind power, along with increasing contributions from hydro and bioenergy.

As electricity demand continues to grow, India is also investing heavily in grid resilience. Grid modernisation, large-scale energy storage, and the development of Green Energy Corridors are helping integrate renewable power smoothly into the national system. Innovative bidding models, including hybrid and round-the-clock renewable energy projects, are improving reliability and cost efficiency.

People at the Centre of the Energy Transition

A key strength of India Global Renewable Energy Leadership is its strong focus on people-centric programmes. The government has designed renewable energy schemes that directly benefit households, farmers and small communities.

Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, around 2.5 million households have already adopted rooftop solar systems in less than two years. This initiative is helping families reduce electricity bills while contributing to clean energy generation. The government aims to extend this benefit to 10 million households by March 2027, making rooftop solar a common feature in Indian homes.

Farmers are also playing an important role in the energy transition. Through the PM-KUSUM scheme, more than 2.17 million farmers have benefited from the replacement of diesel pumps with solar-powered alternatives and the solarisation of agricultural feeders. This has reduced fuel costs, improved farm incomes and lowered carbon emissions in rural areas.

India Global Renewable Energy Leadership in Building a Strong Clean Energy Ecosystem

India’s renewable energy journey is not limited to power generation alone. The country is actively developing a complete clean energy ecosystem that includes manufacturing, storage, green hydrogen and advanced grid systems.

Energy storage solutions are being expanded to manage variability in renewable generation, while domestic manufacturing is being promoted to reduce import dependence and create jobs. Green hydrogen is emerging as a key focus area, with India aiming to become a major global producer and exporter in the coming years.

These efforts are supported by transparent market mechanisms and predictable policy frameworks, which have helped attract both domestic and international investors.

India Global Renewable Energy Leadership and Investment Needs with the Role of Global Cooperation

While highlighting India’s achievements, the Union Minister also stressed the scale of future challenges. India will require around USD 300 billion in clean energy investment by 2030 to meet its targets. This investment will cover renewable generation, storage systems, grid expansion, green hydrogen projects and manufacturing infrastructure.

India has positioned itself as an attractive destination for clean energy investment due to policy stability, large market size and strong demand growth. However, the Minister emphasised that global cooperation is essential to meet climate goals at scale.

He called for greater access to affordable finance, faster technology transfer, capacity building and common global standards. Special attention was urged for developing countries, Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, which often face financial and technical barriers in adopting renewable energy despite having high vulnerability to climate impacts.

Shaping the Future of Clean Energy

India Global Renewable Energy Leadership reflects a balanced and practical approach to climate action. By combining ambitious targets with people-focused programmes, infrastructure development and international collaboration, India is demonstrating that clean energy growth can go hand in hand with development.

As global efforts to combat climate change intensify, India’s experience offers valuable lessons on scaling renewable energy while ensuring fairness and inclusivity. The country’s message at the IRENA Assembly was clear: the global energy transition must move forward together, leaving no nation or community behind.