CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the clean energy goals for Viksit Bharat—500 GW of renewable energy capacity, achieving net zero carbon emissions for Indian Railways, and producing 5 MMT of green hydrogen annually by 2030—are ambitious, but the achievements of the past decade give confidence.
Addressing global leaders and delegates from across the world at the India Energy Week 2025 via video message, the Prime Minister said, “India is driving not only its growth but also the growth of the world, with the energy sector playing a significant role.”
He emphasised their integral role in achieving India’s energy goals, describing the energy sector as a key driver of both national and global growth.
India’s solar energy capacity increased 32 times in the past decade, making it the third-largest solar power producer globally. Modi also highlighted the country’s success in ethanol blending, which reached 19%, and its target of 20% by October 2025. He noted the establishment of the Global Biofuels Alliance during India’s G20 presidency, now involving 28 nations and 12 organisations.
Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India is adopting a balanced approach to the energy transition by prioritising biofuels, renewables, and hydrogen while strategically leveraging hydrocarbons.
“The transition is not about eliminating hydrocarbons overnight but about leveraging them alongside renewables,” Puri said. He stressed that oil and gas will remain critical for power generation, grid stability, and industrial applications, even as the share of renewables increases globally.
Puri underscored the importance of “energy justice” to ensure the energy transition does not exacerbate inequalities between developed and developing nations.
“The transition must be equitable. Reliable and affordable energy must reach everyone, particularly vulnerable populations,” he stated, adding that a fragmented or unjust transition would hinder its success.
The minister identified artificial intelligence (AI) and clean cooking as major drivers of future energy demand. He pointed out that rising energy consumption from AI-driven technologies, such as data centres, requires a balanced energy mix, including natural gas and next-generation nuclear.
On clean cooking, Puri highlighted India’s success in achieving 100% clean cooking access through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), city gas expansion, and solar cooking pilots.
“India’s policy-driven solutions have transformed lives, showcasing how technology and innovation can scale equitably,” he noted. Puri also outlined plans to increase the gas share in India’s energy mix from 6% to 15% and expand refining and petrochemical capacity with an additional $30 billion in investments.