Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, highlighted India’s strong strides in clean energy during his address at the 11th India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2025, held in New Delhi.
He announced that the country’s renewable energy capacity has grown to 227 GW, with installed solar capacity witnessing a staggering 4,000% rise over the last decade.
Goyal stated that India is likely the first G20 nation to have achieved its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. He lauded initiatives like the transformation of Palli village in Jammu and Kashmir into India’s first carbon-neutral panchayat powered by solar energy and energy-efficient systems.
The minister noted that the IESW venue, Yashobhoomi, is a model for sustainable infrastructure, with features such as rooftop solar panels, wastewater treatment, and energy efficiency at its core.
Highlighting India’s manufacturing achievements, the minister revealed that solar photovoltaic module production capacity has increased 38-fold, while photovoltaic cell capacity has grown 21-fold.
He referred to key government schemes such as the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, which aims to equip one crore households with rooftop solar panels, and the PM Kusum Yojana, which promotes solar pumps in agriculture.
He also spoke about the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme launched to boost domestic manufacturing of Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC), essential for battery storage solutions.
The minister emphasised the central role of energy storage technologies in India’s transition to renewable energy. He identified battery systems, pumped hydro storage, geothermal energy, and nuclear power as critical to ensuring a 24×7 clean energy supply.
Goyal proposed a four-pronged strategy to advance India’s energy independence: innovation in next-generation battery technologies, development of infrastructure, including battery swapping and EV charging stations, building supply chain resilience, and fostering end-to-end value chain growth in the energy sector.
He pointed to the recent Cabinet approval of a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund, stating that it can help India match R&D investments in developed economies due to its cost advantages.
Calling on industry stakeholders to scale operations and improve competitiveness, Goyal reaffirmed India’s commitment to achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. He underlined that energy security is both a priority and a responsibility for the government, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a sustainable future.