Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Thursday, 11 July, announced that India has achieved a staggering 4,000% increase in its installed solar power capacity over the past decade, positioning the country as a frontrunner in the global clean energy transition.
Speaking at the 11th India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2025 in New Delhi, Goyal revealed that India’s total renewable energy capacity has climbed to 227 gigawatts (GW), potentially making it the first G20 nation to have met its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
“Our journey reflects India’s commitment to sustainable development and self-reliance,” said Piyush Goyal, highlighting the country’s rapid progress in both renewable capacity and domestic manufacturing.
Solar Manufacturing Soars
Min. Goyal noted that India’s solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing capacity has surged nearly 38-fold in the last decade, while solar cell capacity has grown by 21 times. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, he said, has played a vital role in building domestic capabilities and reducing import dependence.
Rooftop Solar and Farming Solutions
The minister highlighted flagship initiatives driving solar adoption at the grassroots level. Under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, the government plans to install rooftop solar systems in one crore households, helping families cut electricity costs and achieve energy independence.
In the agricultural sector, the PM Kusum Yojana promotes the use of solar pumps, enabling farmers to reduce costs and reliance on grid power.
Four-Pillar Plan for Energy Independence
Minister Goyal outlined a four-pillar strategy to make India energy-independent, focusing on:
Fostering innovation
Developing robust infrastructure
Building resilient supply chains
Expanding the clean energy value chain
He stressed that achieving these goals would help India rival advanced economies in clean technology manufacturing and deployment.
Storage Technologies Crucial for Clean Power
Underscoring the critical role of storage solutions, Min. Goyal called for investments in advanced technologies like solid-state batteries, pumped hydro, and hybrid storage systems to ensure round-the-clock clean energy supply.
“Storage technologies will be central to achieving India’s 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030 and ensuring sustainable, affordable power,” the Minister asserted.
₹1 Lakh Crore R&D Fund to Drive Innovation
Goyal announced that the Union Cabinet has cleared a ₹1 lakh crore (approx. $11.67 billion) Research, Development, and Innovation Fund dedicated to advancing battery and clean technology research. He said India’s cost advantages could translate this investment into research output comparable to ₹6-7 lakh crore ($70-81 billion) in advanced economies.
Push for E-Mobility Infrastructure
Calling for stronger industry collaboration, Min. Goyal urged stakeholders to ramp up charging networks and battery swapping infrastructure, which are crucial for accelerating electric vehicle (EV) adoption and making e-mobility affordable and accessible.
The IESW 2025, inaugurated earlier by Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra, provided a key platform for discussions on energy storage, e-mobility, battery manufacturing, and green hydrogen, underlining India’s growing leadership in sustainable technologies.
