In Detail : The Indian government is intensifying efforts to boost renewable energy by focusing on domestic manufacturing. With the clean energy sector expanding rapidly, policymakers are pushing to strengthen local supply chains and reduce reliance on imports. This initiative is expected to accelerate India’s goal of achieving 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.

To achieve this, schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program have been introduced. These policies provide financial incentives to manufacturers producing solar modules, wind turbines, and energy storage solutions. The aim is to attract investment, enhance competitiveness, and build a robust domestic ecosystem for renewable energy equipment.

India currently imports a significant portion of solar modules, particularly from China. This heavy reliance poses risks of supply disruptions and fluctuating prices. By expanding local production, the government intends to secure long-term stability in renewable projects while promoting self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The push for local manufacturing is also expected to create thousands of new jobs. From factory workers to engineers and technicians, the renewable energy sector could generate employment across multiple levels. This aligns with the government’s strategy to boost industrial growth while supporting sustainable development.

Experts highlight that developing domestic capacity will also drive technological advancements. Companies investing in R\&D are likely to introduce innovations that enhance efficiency and reduce costs. With global demand for renewable technology rising, India could eventually position itself as a leading exporter of clean energy solutions.

The wind energy sector is also gaining attention under this policy shift. Domestic firms are encouraged to scale up production of turbines, blades, and components to meet future project demands. This approach reduces dependence on foreign players and strengthens India’s standing as a reliable renewable energy hub.

In addition to solar and wind, the government is focusing on energy storage technologies. Battery manufacturing and green hydrogen infrastructure are being prioritized, recognizing their critical role in supporting grid stability and future energy needs. Incentives are designed to attract large-scale investments in these areas.

Renewable developers believe that local manufacturing will reduce project delays and bring cost efficiencies. The availability of homegrown modules and components is expected to streamline operations, cut logistics expenses, and ensure smoother execution of large-scale solar and wind projects.

With these policies, India is laying the foundation for a clean energy-driven economy. The strategy not only supports climate goals but also strengthens industrial resilience. By focusing on self-reliance and innovation, India is set to emerge as a key player in the global renewable energy transition.

In Detail : A recent study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) highlights the immense environmental and economic benefits of transitioning to electric vehicles across 44 Indian cities with populations over one million. The study estimates that by 2035, switching entirely to EVs in these cities could slash greenhouse gas emissions by 61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.

In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the transition is expected to significantly curb air pollution by cutting down 11.5 tonnes of PM2.5 emissions daily. This improvement in air quality would have major public health benefits, helping to address one of the most critical urban challenges in India today.

The shift to electric vehicles is also projected to deliver substantial economic advantages. According to TERI, India could save around ₹9.17 lakh crore, or USD 106.6 billion, in oil import costs by 2035. This transition would also lead to the conservation of more than 51 billion litres of fossil fuels, supporting the country’s energy security goals.

The move towards electric mobility is likely to stimulate job creation, with estimates suggesting around 3.7 lakh new jobs in the EV and renewable energy sectors. However, the transition requires extensive infrastructure development, including over 45,000 public charging stations and 130 scrapping facilities across the identified cities.

TERI’s study also explored alternative scenarios, including a balanced model combining electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. While a mixed strategy could still lower PM2.5 emissions significantly, it would result in smaller economic gains and fewer employment opportunities compared to a full EV shift.

Overall, the findings reinforce the need for a comprehensive transition to electric mobility. Achieving these targets will demand coordinated efforts from policymakers, industry players, and urban planners. With the right investments and regulatory support, India’s major cities can become cleaner, greener, and more economically resilient.

In Detail : Moka [Mauritius] – As solarisation projects in Africa gather momentum under the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a senior official at the body called on Indian businesses to step up and build on the goodwill already generated by the Indian government in the continent.

The International Solar Alliance, co-founded by India, has made significant strides in scaling up access to clean energy in Africa, with 30 projects currently underway or in the pipeline, Barakat Ahmed – Regional Programs Head – Africa at International Solar Alliance to ANI on Tuesday.

These projects span various sectors, including the solarisation of schools, health centres, government buildings, cold storage units, and solar water pumping systems.

India’s experience in rural solar electrification, along with its historical and diplomatic ties with Africa, puts Indian businesses in a strong position to lead Africa’s solar transition.

Ahmed believes African governments see India as a trusted partner and are keen to adopt Indian expertise and solutions. “India’s footprint in Africa is already strong, and if the private sector joins hands with the public effort, it could transform the continent’s energy future. This is a win-win for both sides,” Barakat Ahmed said.

He said Indian companies must be more proactive.

“We’ve seen a lot of interest from Indian private players recently–four companies approached us just last month. However many are still hesitant due to lack of on-ground clarity and perceived risks. That’s where the ISA comes in–to de-risk the investment environment and facilitate partnerships,” the official said.

There is immense opportunity for Indian businesses as ISA is in discussions with seven to ten African countries to roll out large-scale solar installations ranging from USD 50 million to 400 million.

These include countries such as Ethiopia, Guinea, Mauritius, Zambia, Niger and Mali.

“Africa remains the most underserved region in terms of energy access–with over 600 million people still lacking electricity. The nature of the continent’s geography makes it impractical to rely solely on grid-based solutions, making solar energy the most viable and scalable option,” Ahmed told ANI, adding that decentralized solar systems like rooftop panels and solar home kits offer a lifeline to millions.

Ahmed is in Mauritius as ISA is holding Solar X Accelerator workshop, where 35 young Entrepreneurs from various parts of the world in the solar energy sector are receiving advanced training.

While ISA now has 123 member countries, engagement in Africa has accelerated especially over the past two to three years. “Out of 46 African member countries, 38 are now actively engaged with ISA, and 20 of those joined just last year,” the official said, noting that the increase reflects growing awareness and trust in ISA’s efforts.

Despite this progress, challenges remain–especially around funding, technical capacity, and policy infrastructure. Officials highlighted that many African countries still lack the regulatory frameworks needed to attract private investors and manage long-term solar projects. “We are working with governments to build capacity, help design policies, and prepare bankable projects. Without these foundations, even projects with high potential cannot attract financing,” the official explained.

ISA is currently helping countries like Uganda, Djibouti and Nigeria draft or review solar energy policies and regulatory mechanisms.

The Alliance is also rolling out training and awareness programs to address the lack of skilled technicians and public understanding of solar solutions. One of its flagship initiatives, the STAR-C (Solar Technology Application Resource-Centres), has already been set up in seven African countries and will expand to ten this year, the official informed.

These centres train government officials, engineers, and private sector players, ensuring long-term sustainability of solar projects.

ISA is also working with African nations on a new vision aimed at accelerating solar adoption over the next 3-5 years.

This includes aligning with Africa Union’s “continental master plan” to build cross-border transmission infrastructure and enable electricity trading between countries. For instance, Ivory Coast is already transmitting electricity to up to five neighbouring countries, and similar developments are underway in southern Africa.

In Detail : Kolkata -Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has launched a Rs 1,500 crore project to modernise power supply in its command area to ensure round-the-clock quality power and to reduce aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses, an official said on Sunday.

DVC’s entire distribution network primarily serves industries, with negligible supply to retail consumers.

The project focuses on shifting from conventional power distribution to a state-of-the-art, technology-driven system to establish a robust primary and secondary distribution network across DVC’s command area spanning 24,235 square kilometres in West Bengal and Jharkhand.

“The project capex is nearly Rs 1,500 crore and will be completed in 18 months. The system integrates advanced features such as a distribution management system, outage management system, customer relation management, metering data management system, GIS mapping for real-time communication, ring main units (RMU), and fiber optic-based metering communication systems,” DVC member (Finance) Arup Sarkar told PTI.

The new distribution system incorporates cutting-edge technologies, including unmanned container-based substations (E-houses) equipped with GIS-based 33 KV panels, modular battery chargers, and substation automation systems (SAS), he said.

In the first phase, DVC will deploy 12 E-houses, 8 conventional indoor-based 33/11 KV substations, and 4 GIS-based prefab substations. The first E-house was commissioned on January 3, 2025, in Dhanbad, with additional E-houses in BIADA, Deoli, Giridih, Hazaribagh, and Sindri slated for commissioning by March 2025, Sarkar said.

The entire distribution network, including consumer feeders, will be managed through two advanced control centres located in Kalyaneshwari, West Bengal, and Koderama, Jharkhand, DVC said.

These centres will ensure hot redundancy and feature a 24X7 customer cell. The new system will enable automatic consumer connection and disconnection based on billing and collection, allowing customers to manage their services seamlessly through a mobile app, eliminating the need for physical interaction, the official said.

“This technological leap marks a significant milestone in DVC’s journey towards modernising power distribution. By leveraging cutting-edge solutions, we aim to enhance operational efficiency, reduce losses, and provide our consumers with a seamless and transparent experience,” Sarkar said.

DVC has partnered with industry leaders such as Tata Consulting Engineers, Siemens Columbia, Siemens India, Transafe, and Techno Electric to drive power distribution sector reforms for enhanced reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

In Detail : New Delhi – Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) conducted its 19th Stakeholders’ Interaction Meet today in virtual mode, chaired by Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director. The meeting brought together borrowers from diverse Renewable Energy sectors to discuss key updates, foster collaboration, and advance the sector’s growth.

In his opening remarks, Shri Das highlighted IREDA’s remarkable achievements in Q3 of FY 2024-25, emphasizing commitment to ease of doing business and providing low-cost funds to Renewable Energy developers. He reiterated IREDA’s dedication to reducing borrowing costs to benefit project developers, ensuring sustained business performance and growth over the past four and a half years.

Shri Das also underscored IREDA’s focus on maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance, transparency, and discipline. Notably, IREDA became the first corporate in India to publish its Q3 full audited financial results in just nine days. He urged stakeholders to prioritize compliance, timely reporting, and dues clearance to sustain asset quality and strengthen IREDA’s credit rating.

Borrowers from across the RE sectors shared valuable suggestions and feedback, which will play a pivotal role in shaping IREDA’s initiatives and strategies. Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohanty, Director (Finance), and other senior IREDA officials also participated in the meeting.

Business partners congratulated IREDA for achieving ‘Excellent’ rating for the fourth consecutive year, strong Q3 results, and their swift resolution of issues, highlighting IREDA’s commitment to excellence and stakeholder support.

In Detail : As the world recalibrates climate commitments amid shifting geopolitical tides, Budget 2025-26 emerges as a defining moment for India’s commitment to its climate goals. From the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement to the imperative of updating Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the operationalisation of the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in January 2026—global developments will have a substantial impact on India’s green growth trajectory.

The Union Budget 2025-26 presents an opportunity to accelerate India’s energy transition through strategic policy support for private sector engagement and domestic manufacturing, laying the foundation for a more resilient future.

The Green Ambit

India is aiming to emerge as a leader in renewable energy deployment, with the country’s renewable energy capacity surpassing the 200GW mark last year. As of December 2024, the capacity stands at 209.44 GW, marking a rise of 15.84% from December 2023. Further, as per the 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), India reported a reduction of 36% in its emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between 2005 and 2020. Government support, in the form of forward-looking policies, incentives and cross-sectoral collaborations, has been central to driving this progress. This budget cements government support in terms of manufacturing and collaboration to drive sustainable development.

India’s Energy Transition

With accelerated growth, inclusive development and private sector engagements taking centrestage, the commitments unveiled in this year’s Budget will have a significant impact on the country’s renewable energy ambitions, energy security and economic resilience. Amidst the nation’s rising energy demand, the emphasis on incentivisation of electricity distribution reforms and intra-state transmission capacity comes as a respite to the financial health and capacity of electricity companies.

Further, the announcement of the National Manufacturing Mission is a critical development amidst geopolitical headwinds—opening new avenues for strengthening India’s domestic manufacturing and positioning the nation as a global export hub for green technologies such as solar PV [photovoltaic] cells, EV [electric vehicle] batteries and grid scale batteries. The exemption of cobalt waste and powder, lead, zinc and 12 more critical minerals as well as certain additional capital goods for EV and mobile battery manufacturing will give an impetus to jobs, particularly in clean tech production.

Aligning with the focus on employment generation is the provision of National Centres of Excellence, considering the need for upskilling the youth in these emerging technologies and fostering innovation.

The emphasis on catalysing private sector driven research, development and innovation will be central to fostering scalable clean-technology solutions.

A Boon for Partnerships and MSMEs

The global energy landscape is evolving rapidly, underscoring the need for collaboration and strategic partnerships. This budget’s focus on strengthening domestic capacities will be pivotal for India to achieve a truly resilient energy transition. It will position India as a global manufacturing hub for clean technologies along with accelerating renewable energy deployment. Investments in reliable renewable energy will lead to job creation, increase in productivity and empower communities.

Collaboration across public, private and philanthropic sectors will be key to achieving these targets. For instance, as featured in the year’s Economic Survey, GEAPP’s strategic partnership initiatives are improving livelihoods through access to reliable and clean energy. GEAPP’s solarisation program for women enterprises, in collaboration with the rural livelihood mission of Uttar Pradesh, aims to assist one lakh women enterprises by 2027 and five lakh by 2030.

Such endeavours can boost the rural medium, small and micro enterprises (MSME) sector, which is the backbone of the Indian rural economy. All these initiatives can achieve their full potential with government support, as underlined in the Budget. Providing assistance to MSMEs and entrepreneurs will boost production and export capabilities.

Budget 2025-26 is more than an economic roadmap; it is a strategic shield against geopolitical uncertainties and energy security risks. It is India’s blueprint for sustainable growth—one that prioritises long-term resilience, economic opportunity and a people-positive energy transition.

In Detail : Godrej Enterprises Group is targeting over 20 per cent growth in its Power Infra business as it drives major investments in renewable energy projects across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.

These efforts support India’s goal of reaching 500 GW of clean energy by 2030, highlighting Godrej’s dedication to sustainability.

Renewable energy projects in focus

Godrej’s Energy Solutions business is playing a critical role in building power infrastructure for green energy. The company recently commissioned a 25 MW AC solar project in Maharashtra’s Dhule, in partnership with MahaGenco.

In Gujarat, it is working on 765kV GIS and 400kV GIS substation projects in Khavda to align with the state’s 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030. Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh, Godrej has completed a 12.5MWp rooftop solar project, one of the largest in India, covering over 1 million square feet.

Scaling up across states

Godrej has also achieved significant milestones in Rajasthan and Haryana. It has commissioned over 5.2MW rooftop solar projects for an automobile company in Jaipur and multiple installations exceeding 2MW for real estate companies and malls in Gurgaon.

Large-scale 765kV AIS substation projects in these states will evacuate power from GW-scale solar parks, reinforcing Godrej’s role in shaping India’s green energy infrastructure.

Building a sustainable future

By investing in high-voltage substations and solar power plants, Godrej is ensuring efficient renewable energy evacuation. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, the company aims to promote energy independence, reduce carbon emissions, and support India’s renewable energy transition.

In Detail : Extension of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar energy value chain, increased allocation towards PM Suryaghar Muft Bijlee Yojana, and greater thrust to distribution and transmission infrastructure are likely to be the key features of the upcoming Budget, as far as the energy sector is concerned.

Sources said these proposals figured not only in the budget wish lists of the industry, but also in the respective recommendations from the ministries of power and renewable energy to the finance ministry , ahead of the Budget.

While the government has already launched rooftop solar scheme and announced viability gap funding for offshore wind projects, industry players expect increased allocations, particularly towards solar and wind, along with higher budgetary capital expenditure in green hydrogen and battery storage infrastructure. Along with this, the sector also expects the government to increase its coverage of households under PM Suryaghar.

“Given the success of PM Suryaghar scheme with almost 600,000 installations in just nine months since its launch, one could probably see additional allocation to target more households,” said Ashwin Jacob, partner at Deloitte India. “As far as evacuation of power from offshore wind projects is concerned, we would want to see the VGF or budgetary support to continue or get enhanced,” he added.

“We hope to see a decisive increase in funding to accelerate the green energy transition. Priorities must include scaling renewable energy by addressing grid and transmission challenges, advancing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for grid stability and reliable power, doubling energy efficiency and digitalizing the energy sector through AI, smart meters, and data-driven solutions. Streamlining rooftop solar programs with simplified approvals, financing, and monitoring is equally vital,” said Saurabh Kumar, Vice President – India, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP).

Sharat Goyal, CEO of Impact Infracap also expects the government to remove restrictions on state wise caps on roof top capacity for net-metering for industrial establishments. “Further, adoption of batteries to substitute use of diesel generators for back-up power should receive incentives and policy support given their role in reducing dependence on imports,” he said.

While the government is increasingly working towards enhancing the country’s RE capacity, the distribution and transmission infrastructure for its evacuation still needs to be strengthened. With the peak demand for power growing at a rate of 8-9% annually, the industry is looking forward to strengthening of climate resilient infrastructure augmentation. “One can expect new allocations towards augmentation of power distribution infrastructure, especially in high density/ urban load centres, in view of the sharp rise in peak demand over the last few years,” said Anujesh Dwivedi, Partner at Deloitte India.

He noted that there may be some allocation towards supporting the preparatory work especially on the listing of power utilities, or some incentive mechanism for promoting initiatives on private sector participation or listing of utilities at the state level because they are increasingly being seen as the much needed structural reforms the sector needs.

The industry is optimistic of a wider coverage of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme by including smart metering in infrastructure definition. “This would direct more financing for a sector which seeks to bring down India’s transmission and distribution losses to 12% and improve recovery for state utilities,” Goyal said.

Goyal also noted that power transmission despite significant potential has not seen any notable monetisation events which could address the latent investor demand. “Government should announce a time-bound privatisation programme for assets owned by PGCIL,” he said. The sector also sees the PLI scheme for solar value chain to continue with possible reduction in the duty structures for solar equipment.

Jacob highlighted that there may be some rationalisation of duties on capital goods required for solar upstream manufacturing could be seen so that overall that industry can really take off. “We expect continuation and maybe broadening of the PLI support towards the solar module value chain. We already have a few interventions there, which are likely to be extended deeper,” Dwivedi said.

Similarly, on the battery manufacturing front, the industry expects localization of the value chain given competing countries have already advanced beyond India. In the green hydrogen segment, the industry believes the government may bring in hydrogen purchase for specific sectors like (green) steel.

On the EV front, the industry seeks more support towards building public charging infrastructure given the anticipated increase in the EV penetration. “Under the PM E-drive, we already have an allocation of about Rs 1,100 crores for FY26. Given that the final guidelines have not been released until now, I think even the allocation under FY25 may get added and FY26 budget may be increased as the country expects an acceleration in EV adoption in FY26,” Dwivedi said.

“Under the Atmannirbhar Bhart scheme, there should be a scheme for the home grown EPCM companies to create indigenous technical capabilities in the country and reduce the foreign exchange outflow. We would also like to see a reduction on GST for engineering equipment and a reduction in import duties on chemicals in India,” said Umesh Sood, CEO Simon India Ltd.

Sunil Singhvi, President, Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers Association noted that there is a need for strong policy support to foster growth, drive innovation, and enhance sustainability in the power sector. “One of the main requests is to expand the PLI scheme, which aims to increase domestic production of crucial electrical components necessary for large and essential power projects, such as the advanced High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems.” he said.

In Detail : Kerala is positioning itself as a pioneer in adopting green hydrogen for the transport sector, with plans to transition to sustainable and eco-friendly mobility solutions. This initiative aims to significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the environmental impact of conventional transportation systems. By embracing green hydrogen, the state is taking a critical step toward cleaner and more sustainable urban infrastructure.

The state is set to deploy hydrogen-powered buses, trucks, and other vehicles as part of its comprehensive strategy to decarbonize the transport sector. These vehicles, powered by hydrogen fuel cells, generate electricity with zero emissions, offering a sustainable alternative to diesel and petrol-based engines. This shift will play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in urban areas.

To support this transformation, Kerala is prioritizing the development of infrastructure for hydrogen production, storage, and refueling. Plans include establishing renewable energy-powered hydrogen production units and building strategically located refueling stations. This infrastructure will ensure a smooth transition for transport operators and encourage wider adoption of hydrogen technology.

Kerala’s green hydrogen initiative aligns with India’s broader climate goals, including the national commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. By focusing on decarbonizing its transport sector, the state is contributing significantly to reducing carbon footprints and addressing global climate challenges.

The move is expected to attract substantial investments and drive innovation in green energy technologies. Kerala is actively collaborating with industry stakeholders, research institutions, and policymakers to create cost-effective and scalable solutions for green hydrogen production and utilization. These partnerships are vital for ensuring the success of the initiative and its long-term sustainability.

By championing green hydrogen adoption in transport, Kerala is setting a benchmark for sustainable mobility in India. This bold move reflects the state’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its vision for a cleaner, greener future. It also positions Kerala as a role model for other regions aiming to transition to sustainable energy solutions.