Clean energy is no longer a sector-specific agenda but lies at the heart of India’s growth, competitiveness, social inclusion and energy security, P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, said on Thursday while addressing the inaugural session of the International Conference on “Sustainable Energy Transition – Global Perspective” organised by the Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe).
Emphasising that clean energy is deeply embedded in India’s vision of Viksit Bharat, Mishra said India’s experience since 2014 offers key lessons for the global energy transition.
“Ambitious targets gain credibility only when supported by institutional architecture, sustained financial commitment and consistent execution,” he said, citing India’s achievement of 50% non-fossil installed capacity by 2025, five years ahead of its original target.
Tangible Welfare Gains
Drawing from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks at India Energy Week, Mishra said, “A developed India will be built on clean energy, green growth, and sustainable lifestyles.” He added that India’s transition has been durable because it delivers tangible welfare gains.
“PM-KUSUM’s impact on farmers, PM Surya Ghar’s relief for households, and jobs created through solar manufacturing and electric mobility show that decarbonisation and development can reinforce each other,” he said.
Highlighting India’s global climate record, Mishra said the country has reduced the emissions intensity of its GDP by about 36% between 2005 and 2020 and became the first G20 nation to meet its Paris Agreement commitments nine years ahead of the 2030 timeline. “It is against this backdrop that we must view India’s energy transition strategy,” he said.
He outlined a series of policy measures that have shaped India’s transition, including the scaling up of the National Solar Mission from 20 GW to 100 GW, amendments to the National Tariff Policy in 2016, the National Policy on Biofuels in 2018, and the launch of the National Hydrogen Mission in 2021 to reduce long-term fossil fuel imports.
Mishra also underlined recent legislative initiatives opening nuclear energy to private participation, describing it as a historic reform expected to scale zero-carbon baseload capacity by 2047. “Taken together, these measures align energy transition directly with energy security and import reduction, enhancing India’s strategic autonomy,” he said.
At the household level, he said clean energy is turning consumers into active participants and producers. With near-universal electrification achieved, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana launched in 2024 brings clean energy directly to rooftops, supported by building codes, efficiency standards and the UJALA LED programme.
Domestic Manufacturing Leadership
On manufacturing, Mishra said the Production Linked Incentive scheme has driven a decisive shift towards domestic solar PV manufacturing, with capacity expanding to around 120 GW since 2022. He also highlighted India’s leadership through the International Solar Alliance, which now brings together 112 sun-rich nations, largely from the Global South.
Addressing future challenges, Mishra said that as renewable energy rises, grid stability becomes more complex, prompting investments in transmission, HVDC corridors and storage solutions.
While coal will continue to play a role in the near term, India’s approach remains rooted in equity, climate justice and the need for predictable and affordable climate finance for the Global South.