India’s clean energy journey has moved from ambition to action; the next phase will hinge on smarter execution, stronger manufacturing, and a skilled workforce to drive lasting progress.
India’s clean energy journey under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has been defined by scale, speed and ambition. From under 20 GW of solar and wind capacity in 2010 to over 180 GW by 2023, we have built one of the most dynamic renewable energy markets in the world. Competitive tariffs, transparent auctions, and a supportive policy framework have underpinned this growth, with the private sector playing a pivotal role in driving innovation and investment.
While many nations have grappled with energy transitions, India has built the world’s largest synchronised grid capable of seamlessly transmitting electricity from remote solar parks in Rajasthan to urban centres across the country. Our domestic banking system has stepped up, channelling capital into clean energy projects and reducing dependence on volatile foreign funding. Today, the country is self-sufficient in solar module manufacturing and rapidly closing the gap on solar cell production, reinforcing our energy security and industrial resilience. Yet, our work is far from over. As we set our sights on achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and ultimately on realising the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’, the time to prepare for our next great leap is now.
The next chapter will be defined not just by how much we build, but by how we build. India’s energy transition beyond 2030 will depend on our ability to execute at scale, foster technological innovation, and cultivate a future-ready workforce. The question is no longer whether we can lead; it is how we choose to lead.
India is well-positioned to shape the future of global energy. We have core strengths: a swiftly growing domestic energy demand, a progressive policy environment, a skilled and expanding workforce, and a growing influence on the world stage. But the global landscape is shifting rapidly. Geopolitical dynamics, technological advances, capital flows and competitive pressures are evolving in real time. Some disruptions may be short-lived; others will fundamentally reshape the contours of global energy for decades to come.
India is targeting over 50 GW of renewable capacity additions annually post-2025, rising to 75–100 GW through the 2030s to meet the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’. This scale surpasses the combined annual additions of India, the US, and Australia in 2024.
Globally, solar deployment is expected to triple to 1,000 GW annually by the early 2030s, with significant growth in both traditional and emerging markets, presenting India with major export opportunities.
Geopolitical shifts are redefining trade and technology access. The US, the EU and Japan are investing in supply chain independence and innovation, while China continues its export-led strategy. India needs to respond by building strategic partnerships and deepening domestic capabilities to ensure resilience.
Technological breakthroughs are accelerating, and costs are coming down. Battery prices fell 20 percent in 2024, green ammonia costs hit record lows, and global investment in clean energy innovation has doubled in three years. Solar, storage, hydrogen, and AI-driven grids will shape future energy leadership.
Capital flows remain volatile, but India’s domestic financial base is deepening. With $9 trillion expected to enter Indian financial markets by 2035 through increased household savings, reforms can unlock large-scale equity and low-cost debt for renewables. Meanwhile, carbon pricing now covers 27 percent of global emissions, and a global Carbon Border Adjustment regime is emerging, making industrial decarbonisation a strategic imperative. India’s clean energy workforce reached 1.02 million jobs in 2023, with potential to grow to 3.4 million by 2030. Yet productivity gaps remain: Solar PV module output per worker/year in India is 25–30 MW, compared to 40–50 MW in China and Germany. Bridging this gap is critical to competitiveness.
“India’s energy transition beyond 2030 will depend on our ability to execute at scale, foster technological innovation, and cultivate a future-ready workforce”
To maintain momentum and strengthen its leadership in the global clean energy landscape, India will benefit from bold, coordinated action across four critical domains: distribution sector reform, advanced manufacturing, grid modernisation, and human capital development. These efforts are not just strategic; they are essential to achieving India’s ambitious target of Net Zero emissions by 2070 and building a resilient, competitive, and future-ready energy ecosystem.
Many state-run electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOM) are struggling with old contracts and financial losses. But in seven to eight geographies, private companies have shown that better service, lower losses, and modern tools like smart meters and EV charging stations are possible. Expanding this model across India can improve reliability and make it easier to adopt rooftop solar, electric vehicles, and other clean technologies.
India’s solar manufacturing base is expanding steadily, moving toward self-sufficiency in downstream components such as modules and cells. However, to achieve global competitiveness and meet the significantly higher domestic and export demand expected over the next decade, deeper integration and targeted innovation are essential.
Strengthening upstream supply chains, particularly in wafers and polysilicon, through domestic content requirements and non-tariff barriers, will be critical, and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) proposal to extend the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) to wafers by 2028 marks a strategic step forward.
To unlock cost efficiencies and scale, India would benefit from developing integrated manufacturing zones that bring together upstream and downstream players, supported by reliable, low-cost power, shared infrastructure, and streamlined logistics. In parallel, launching a well-funded Solar Innovation Initiative can position India as a leader in next-generation technologies. This initiative should include R&D support via the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, carve-outs within the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for non-silicon technologies, and the establishment of dedicated innovation zones near manufacturing clusters.
Finally, to expand India’s global footprint, it is vital to accelerate solar exports by forging strategic trade partnerships with premium markets such as the EU, the US, and Japan, while also entering emerging economies like Kenya, Ghana, Colombia, and Peru with bundled technology-finance solutions tailored to local needs.
To meet its ambitious renewable energy targets, India will need to undertake a massive expansion of its transmission infrastructure, adding 1,62,600 circuit km by 2032, which represents nearly 30 percent of its current capacity. This scale of deployment is essential to absorb the surge in renewable generation and ensure grid stability.
A strategic shift to ‘ahead of demand’ transmission planning is critical to avoid stranded assets and enhance capital efficiency. This requires reforming the five-year planning cycles and proactively building grid infrastructure before renewable projects come online. Fast-tracking nationally significant transmission projects through the Regulated Tariff Mechanism will empower the Central Transmission Utility to execute them more efficiently, leveraging its statutory authority and streamlined processes. Additionally, India needs to accelerate the development of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) corridors, digital substations, and dynamic line ratings, supported by single-window approvals and Right of Way (RoW) reforms.
To improve grid flexibility and financial sustainability, market design should be modernised with smart meter infrastructure, time-of-use pricing, and demand response mechanisms. Finally, scaling energy storage to 100 GW / 362 GWh by 2032—strategically co-located with renewable generation will be vital to reduce curtailment, enhance utilisation, and enable round-the-clock clean power.
A productive, tech-savvy workforce will be the backbone of India’s clean energy future. As deployment scales rapidly, the sector needs to evolve into a more automated, cost-competitive, and geographically diverse ecosystem. To support this transformation, India would benefit from expanding local skill hubs in high-potential states, aligning them with national programmes such as Suryamitra and PM Surya Ghar to ensure grassroots readiness.
Workforce development needs to be directly linked to incentives—by integrating skilling outcomes into eligibility criteria for schemes like the PLI and Viability Gap Funding (VGF), we can drive accountability and impact. Additionally, India’s growing network of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) offers a unique opportunity to build digital and tech talent. These centres can collaborate with academic institutions to develop micro-credentials and equip STEM graduates with site-ready skills tailored to clean energy roles.
Finally, bridging productivity gaps, such as the lower solar PV module output per worker compared to global benchmarks, will require targeted training and greater automation across manufacturing and deployment processes.
India stands at a pivotal moment in its energy journey. The foundation has been laid, the ambition is clear, and the global context is shifting in ways that both challenge and empower us. To lead the next phase of the clean energy transition, India will need to move beyond incremental progress and embrace systemic transformation—anchored in strategic foresight, technological leadership, and inclusive growth. The choices we make today will shape India’s energy landscape for decades. By investing in long-lead initiatives, strengthening institutional capacity, and fostering collaboration across sectors, we can ensure that India not only meets its targets but sets new benchmarks for the world.
The author is Founder, Chairman and CEO, ReNew. Views are his own.