Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, announced that India is making significant strides towards building a fully indigenous solar value chain, with a target of achieving domestic solar cell manufacturing by 2028. Speaking at the State Review Meeting on Renewable Energy organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the Minister said the country is expanding its efforts beyond modules to include wafers and ingots, paving the way for a comprehensive solar manufacturing ecosystem within India.
Shri Joshi emphasised that this move will reduce import dependence, generate employment, attract investment, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in clean energy manufacturing. He appreciated the efforts of various states in advancing renewable energy initiatives, noting that these contributions are helping India move towards its 2030 vision of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity. With 251.5 GW already installed, the Minister described this milestone as evidence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, which is driving clean energy growth and manufacturing in the renewable sector.
Progress Under PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM
The Minister highlighted that nearly 20 lakh households have benefitted from the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, urging states and distribution companies to ensure quality compliance and offer optimal tariff credits. On the PM-KUSUM scheme, he noted its growing popularity across states and announced that the second phase will be launched after March 2026.
Addressing concerns regarding free electricity, Shri Joshi stated that benefits must be delivered in a financially sustainable way. He pointed out that about half of the beneficiaries under PM Surya Ghar currently enjoy zero electricity bills, demonstrating a sustainable model that balances relief with long-term viability.
Renewable Capacity and Ease of Doing Business
India has achieved the milestone of 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of schedule. However, the Minister cautioned that capacity additions must be matched with effective utilisation. He urged states to expedite Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), power purchase agreements (PPAs), and land allotments, warning that delays in procurement could undermine broader goals.
Calling for strengthened Ease of Doing Business, Shri Joshi encouraged states to adopt single-window clearance systems, reduce compliance burdens, and address right of way and law-and-order challenges. He further urged wind-rich states to develop time-bound roadmaps for site allocation and transmission readiness.
The Minister welcomed the recent GST reduction from 12% to 5% on renewable energy devices, making technologies such as solar, wind, biogas, and waste-to-energy systems more affordable.
Domestic Manufacturing Achievements
Highlighting successes in domestic manufacturing, Shri Joshi pointed to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules, with an outlay of ₹24,000 crore. Under this scheme, India has established 100 GW of module manufacturing capacity, attracted ₹50,000 crore in investments, and created over 12,600 direct jobs.
The Minister reaffirmed that India’s energy transition would require collaborative action from the Centre, states, industry, and citizens, and assured full support from MNRE while inviting stakeholders to share ideas for accelerating renewable energy deployment.
Supporting Remarks from Other Leaders
Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Shripad Naik, praised the PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar schemes as central to India’s mission for energy security and sustainability. He noted that over 16 lakh solar pumps have been installed or solarised, reducing diesel consumption by 1.3 billion litres annually, cutting 40 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, and saving foreign exchange. The PM Surya Ghar scheme is installing 4,500 systems daily, supported by 18,000 vendors nationwide, empowering farmers and households while reducing emissions and creating jobs.
MNRE Secretary Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi underscored that India’s green energy transition is vital to meeting its net zero target by 2070, with ambitions of 1,800 GW renewable capacity by 2047 and 5,000 GW by 2070. He highlighted successful state initiatives, including Maharashtra’s PM-KUSUM implementation, Gujarat’s renewable clusters, and Karnataka’s land facilitation efforts.
State-Wise Assessment and Future Roadmap
The review meeting featured a state-wise assessment of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM, with presentations from states detailing progress and challenges. Industry associations shared insights on sectoral issues, and stakeholder consultations were held to align policy reforms with the design of PM-KUSUM 2.0. The discussions aimed to create a unified roadmap for India’s renewable energy expansion, bringing together stakeholders to accelerate the country’s clean energy transition.
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