The Indian renewable energy sector has crossed 187 GW of installed capacity, driven by an enabling policy regime, transparent project allocation mechanisms, a clear vision and ambitious targets. The sector continues to attract both domestic and international players. It has evolved into a complex landscape, encompassing various technologies and business models with industry stakeholders catering to a wide range of consumers. At various industry events, Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, highlighted the key milestones achieved by the sector, including 50 per cent non-fossil fuel-based installed capacity, and breakthroughs in solar manufacturing and green hydrogen from agri-waste. He also spoke about the country’s growing role in global clean energy leadership. Edited excerpts…
In a world seeking climate solutions, India is showing the way. Achieving 50 per cent non-fossil fuel capacity five years ahead of the 2030 target is a proud moment for every Indian. Our leadership continues to drive India’s green transformation, paving the way for a self-reliant and sustainable future.
Rajasthan’s transformation to a global clean energy hub
Rajasthan is now a beacon of hope, energy independence and self-reliance. Almost 70 per cent of Rajasthan’s power capacity is now sourced from renewable energy, with over 35.4 GW installed – 29.5 GW from solar and 5.2 GW from wind.
The Gorbea solar power project, developed by Zelestra India, has turned farmers into partners in India’s energy journey. The land was leased from farmers, offering them stable income. Our farmers are no longer just food providers; they are energy providers as well. During construction, over 700 local workers were employed, contributing to livelihood generation and skill development. The entire evacuation infrastructure, including the on-site substation and a 6.5 km transmission line, was completed in just five months. This is a world-class facility and such technologies should be widely adopted. With every megawatt we generate, we are not just producing power, we are building a new India. The project reflects the speed and scale of change.
Stakeholders should explore pilot projects using next-generation solar technologies. Such innovations could significantly boost energy yields in high-irradiance states such as Rajasthan.
Development of indigenous green hydrogen technologies
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has a century-old tradition of excellence in Indian science. The highly advanced green water generator production system developed from bio-waste is a prime example of what it means to transform fundamental science into effective technology. It not just a national milestone, but a global achievement.
“Achieving 50 per cent non-fossil fuel capacity five years ahead of the 2030 target is a proud moment for every Indian.”
This system can produce up to 5 kg of green hydrogen per hour using India’s own agricultural residues with over 99 per cent purity. Agricultural waste products are typically burned, or if left alone, they emit methane into the atmosphere. However, this invention demonstrates that it is possible to produce environment-friendly fuel from waste, making it a truly self-sufficient innovation. It is also a carbon-reducing solution as every kilogram of hydrogen produced removes more than 1 kg of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
This innovation is directly linked to the National Green Hydrogen Mission launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with an outlay of Rs 197.44 billion. The project’s ambitious goals include an annual production capacity of 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen, an additional 125 GW of renewable energy capacity, a total investment of Rs 8 trillion, the creation of over 0.6 million jobs, and a reduction of 50 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Funding has already been provided for an annual production capacity of 3,000 MW of electrolysers and 0.86 million tonnes of green hydrogen production per year.
Any national programme cannot succeed solely with financial assistance. The four national challenges include:
- Hydrogen conservation: It is difficult to store hydrogen. Therefore, serious and specialised research programmes are needed to develop safe and reliable hydrogen conservation solutions.
- Cost reduction of electrolysis systems: It is important to reduce the cost of electrolysis systems. True progress comes from science, not from subsidies. IISc’s Center for Nano Science and Engineering, which specialises in nanomaterials and thin films, should work towards developing next-generation, more efficient, low-cost electrolysis units.
- Reducing the cost of hydrogen-powered vehicles: There is a need to reduce the cost of hydrogen-powered vehicles and develop accessible hydrogen fuel refuelling centres. Five pilot projects for 37 hydrogen-fuel vehicles and nine fuel refuelling centres have already been approved under the NGHM.
- Reducing the price of green hydrogen: The current cost of green hydrogen must be urgently brought down.
The IISc community should not only lead India in green hydrogen research but also make the country a world leader in affordable and sustainable hydrogen technology. In this regard, the ministry will provide its full support through collaboration for pilot projects, financial aid and industrial partnerships for expansion. Together, let us make India a frontrunner in the green hydrogen economy.
Expansion of India’s domestic manufacturing capabilities
India has achieved a historic milestone – 100 GW of solar PV module manufacturing capacity under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, a remarkable rise from just 2.3 GW in 2014. Driven by transformative initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive scheme for high-efficiency solar modules, we are building a robust, self-reliant solar manufacturing ecosystem. This achievement strengthens India’s path towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the target of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is also supporting ART-PV India, with $10 million to establish a state-of-the-art pilot manufacturing facility at the IIT-B campus. This is in line with its commitment to nurturing domestic intellectual property and ensuring Indian innovations reach global markets. The MNRE will continue to provide policy and financial support to ensure India’s renewable energy sector thrives on innovation and self-reliance.
The MNRE is proud to support the pioneering work of the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE), IIT Bombay, in high-efficiency, low-cost silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells, a game-changer for India’s solar energy future. At a time when the world is seeking efficient, affordable and scalable solar energy solutions, this innovation gives India a leadership edge.
This technology has the potential to achieve more than 30 per cent efficiency, far surpassing conventional solar panels, making India a global leader in next-generation photovoltaics. By investing in such innovations, we are driving down the cost of solar energy, making it more accessible for all Indians. This is not just a lab-scale breakthrough, it is a blueprint for clean, scalable and Aatmanirbhar energy production. India is not just adopting renewable energy but defining its future through research in perovskite solar cells, inverter technology, PV-reliability, green hydrogen and energy storage.
The MNRE is committed to advancing cutting-edge renewable energy technologies under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, ensuring India leads in clean energy innovation. In this respect, the MNRE’s support for premier institutions such as NCPRE, IIT Bombay, strengthens domestic research and development (R&D), reducing reliance on imported technology and fostering indigenous manufacturing. Through initiatives such as the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development programme and R&D funding schemes, the MNRE is enabling institutions such as NCPRE to accelerate lab-to-market transitions. NCPRE’s work exemplifies how public-funded research, when coupled with policy support, can position India as a global clean energy hub.
By making advanced technologies accessible to industry, we will not just be driving efficiency, but also building a stronger innovation ecosystem. This approach perfectly aligns with the central government’s larger vision of turning Indian R&D into global benchmarks.
“By making advanced technologies accessible to industry, we will not just be driving efficiency, but also building a stronger innovation ecosystem.”