Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that the last 11 years of India’s energy sector journey demonstrate how bold vision, honest intent, and relentless execution can transform the destiny of a nation.
Addressing a press conference on the energy sector, Minister Goyal said India is a preferred destination for data centres as the country has no dearth of electricity and its 500 GW national grid can take care of the surge in demand.
Calling the 500 GW grid one of the largest in the world, Minister Goyal said, “Europe does not have a national grid. Even the US does not have a national grid. But India has a national grid. So we are a preferred destination for data centres, and they are planning growth in the years to come. There will be sufficient power available to make sure that we meet the needs of our people, farmers, industry and commercial establishments, including data centres and GCCs.”
He noted that the country recorded its highest-ever coal production of 1,048 million tonnes in FY 2024–25, while coal imports declined by around 8 per cent, and added that India’s solar power capacity has increased 46 times in the last 11 years, making the country the third-largest globally, while wind power capacity has grown from 21 GW in 2014 to 53 GW in 2025.
Minister Goyal further stated that India has emerged as the fourth-largest refining hub in the world and is working to increase its refining capacity by 20 per cent.
He informed that 34,238 km of natural gas pipeline has been authorised, of which 25,923 km is operational, and mentioned the SHANTI Bill, which seeks to allow private players to participate in the nuclear energy sector.
Goyal said that the country has moved towards surplus power generation, grid integration and leadership in renewable energy, and stated that this transformation was not accidental, but driven by a clear vision and consistent efforts.
He added that India has transitioned from power scarcity to power security and now, towards power sustainability.