President Murmu Unveils India’s Renewable Energy Triumph: Soars to 188 GW with Solar Surging 26-Fold in a Decade

President Droupadi Murmu declared on Wednesday that the government is prioritizing green energy, revealing that renewable energy capacity in India has more than doubled, reaching 188 gigawatts (GW), with solar capacity witnessing a remarkable 26-fold increase. These strides align with India’s ambitious energy transition plan, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2070 and a target of 500GW of renewable energy by 2030. Additionally, India aspires to achieve 50% non-fossil fuel-based power generation capacity by 2030.

In her address to the joint session of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the new Parliament building, President Murmu emphasized the global demand for environmentally friendly products, underscoring the government’s commitment to the “Zero Effect Zero Defect” initiative. She informed members of parliament that non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity has risen from 81GW to 188GW in the past decade, with solar power capacity seeing a 26-fold increase and wind power capacity doubling. India currently holds the fourth position globally in both renewable energy and wind power capacity and fifth in solar power capacity.

President Murmu also highlighted achievements in solar energy, wind energy, large hydro, biomass power, small hydro, and waste-to-energy capacities, citing data from the Central Electricity Authority. Additionally, she noted the recent launch of the ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ to financially assist one crore households in installing rooftop solar power systems. The president also shared advancements in nuclear and hydrogen energy projects and the government’s success in achieving 12% ethanol blending, with a target of 20% soon. These efforts collectively aim to reduce dependence on foreign energy sources. Notably, President Murmu announced the commencement of oil production in a new block in the Bay of Bengal, a significant achievement for the country.