India’s clean energy drive has reached a major milestone, with the country surpassing 251.5 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity, placing it more than halfway toward its ambitious 2030 target of 500 GW. The announcement was made on Thursday by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi during the State Review Meeting on Renewable Energy organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Hailing the achievement as a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India as a global leader in renewables, Joshi emphasised the pace of progress. “India’s 2030 vision of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity is already more than halfway achieved,” he said. “This milestone reflects the speed and scale at which India is implementing its clean energy transition.”
Swadeshi Solar cell manufacturing by 2028
Under a major domestic manufacturing policy drive, the Minister said that India is progressing towards creating a full value chain of Swadeshi solar, with the aim of achieving indigenous production of solar cells by 2028.
We are now moving beyond module assembly to create domestic capabilities in wafers and ingots as well,” Joshi stated. “This move will not only cut down import dependency but also generate employment, bring investment, and make India’s manufacturing ecosystem robust.”
The announcement is likely to improve investor confidence and is in line with the government’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative aimed at turning India into a manufacturing hub for clean energy technology.
PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM power rural transformation
Joshi also provided information on flagship programs. Over 20 lakh families have been benefited through the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with nearly half of them getting zero electricity bills. He asked state governments and distribution companies (DISCOMs) to provide quality compliance, execute agreements in time, and transfer tariff advantages to customers without delay.
On the PM-KUSUM scheme of promoting solar pumps for the farmers, Joshi stated the program has gained strong traction after a hesitant beginning and will have its second phase rolled out in the post-March 2026 period.
Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik described the scheme as a “game-changer” for farmers and pointed out that already 16 lakh solar pumps have been installed or solarised from the 49 lakh sanctioned. This has helped save 1.3 billion litres of diesel per year, reducing 40 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions and decreasing India’s foreign exchange outflow.
Domestic manufacturing and investment push
Emphasising the achievement of the PLI Scheme for High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules, Joshi stated that India presently boasts 100 GW of solar module production capacity, Rs 50,000 crore investments, and over 12,600 direct employment opportunities created.
The recent reduction in GST on renewable energy devices and services from 12 percent to 5 percent is expected to lower the cost of solar, wind, and waste-to-energy systems. This move will not only accelerate adoption but also support India’s 2028 goal of achieving complete Swadeshi solar cell manufacturing, thereby strengthening self-reliance and advancing the clean energy transition.
Call for state-level action and investor confidence
The Minister appealed to states to hasten Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), power purchase agreements (PPAs), and open land allotments, along with consolidation of single-window clearance mechanisms, to get private investments.
“Prompt action is the strength of this system,” Joshi warned. “If we go on postponing procurement in hope that tariffs decline more, we will be losing sight of the larger picture.”
Roadmap to net zero
MNRE Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi described India’s energy transition as essential to the country reaching its target for net zero emissions by 2070, with commitments to achieve 1,800 GW of renewable capacity in 2047 and 5,000 GW in 2070.
The review meeting featured presentations on the state-wise progress of renewables, industry consultations, as well as policy reforms, with an emphasis on designing PM-KUSUM 2.0 and driving deployment in the country.
India’s growing global leadership
With over 50 percent of its total installed electricity capacity already being derived from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of target, India is solidifying its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing clean energy markets. The new 2028 target to fully indigenise solar cell production should further enhance its leadership role.
“Success lies with collective effort by the Centre, states, industry, and citizens,” Joshi said. “Together, we will be able to make India a global leader in the production of renewable energy and help build a sustainable future.”
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