Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi held a series of high-level engagements at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, highlighting India’s leadership in advancing a just, affordable and inclusive global energy transition.
During a meeting with WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, attended by Union Minister for Railways, Electronics & IT, and Information & Broadcasting Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, discussions centred on the importance of global cooperation to address shared economic and developmental challenges. The leaders emphasised the role of multilateral platforms such as the WEF in building global consensus and fostering sustained dialogue between governments, industry and stakeholders to support resilient and inclusive growth across energy and development sectors.
India Shares Decentralised Renewable Energy Model with Global South
At a roundtable discussion, Shri Joshi shared India’s experience in rapidly scaling rooftop, agricultural and decentralised renewable energy solutions, underscoring their relevance for the Global South. The session was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amon Murwira.
The Union Minister stated that, under the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s clean energy transition demonstrates how rapid growth, affordability and sustainability can advance together. He highlighted flagship initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana for rooftop solar adoption and PM-KUSUM for solar-powered agriculture, noting their role in expanding clean energy access for households and farmers while reducing energy costs. He also emphasised the importance of decentralised renewable energy systems and mini-grids in improving reliability and resilience in remote and weak-grid regions.
Shri Devendra Fadnavis lauded India’s clean energy progress, citing significant achievements in the renewable energy sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Shri Pralhad Joshi.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to inclusive energy transitions and South–South cooperation, Shri Joshi said India would continue to share practical and scalable solutions through platforms such as the International Solar Alliance as the global community works towards a climate-secure future.
States Driving India’s Energy Transition
Addressing the session titled “De-Risking the Green Leap: Subnational Blueprints for Utility-Scale Energy Transition” alongside Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Mohan Yadav, the Union Minister said India is advancing its renewable energy transition not only at the national level but also through reform-oriented states translating policy into on-ground outcomes.
Highlighting Madhya Pradesh as a leading example, Shri Joshi noted the state’s strong execution capabilities, low solar and battery storage costs, and globally competitive green hydrogen prices. He stressed that the key challenge in the global energy transition is not ambition or capital, but effective execution, adding that India’s state-led renewable energy success stories offer valuable lessons globally.
Clean Energy Collaboration and Investment
On the sidelines of WEF 2026, Shri Joshi met Guillaume Vermersch, Group Chief Financial Officer of Mercuria Group, to discuss collaboration aligned with India’s clean energy priorities. The discussions focused on scaling renewable energy through market-based mechanisms, strengthening carbon markets and climate finance, and advancing green hydrogen, biofuels and energy storage. The Union Minister welcomed Mercuria Group’s commitment to invest nearly 50 per cent in green energy and its interest in India’s expanding clean energy ecosystem.
Energy Transition Driving Growth and Competitiveness
On 20 January, Shri Joshi presented the Country Strategy Dialogue on India at the WEF Congress Centre, in the presence of Union Ministers Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. Emphasising India’s scale and speed of execution, he noted that solar tariffs have declined by nearly 80 per cent, renewable energy with storage has become cost-competitive, and green hydrogen and green ammonia prices discovered in India are among the most competitive globally.
He added that India’s domestic renewable energy manufacturing capacity has expanded to 144 GW, positioning the country as both a major clean energy market and a reliable global manufacturing and investment hub on the path to Viksit Bharat 2047.
India Backs Global Mission on AI for Energy
Shri Joshi also delivered the keynote address at the session “Call to Action: Spotlight on the Global Mission on AI for Energy”, highlighting the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the energy sector. He noted that AI can improve forecasting, reduce losses, lower costs and strengthen grid reliability, and outlined India’s shift from pilot-based initiatives to platform-based deployment through Digital Public Infrastructure for Energy, enabling large-scale adoption of AI-driven solutions, particularly relevant for the Global South.
