India’s energy transition is not only about adding renewable capacity in megawatts but also about creating jobs, skills, livelihoods and empowerment, Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said on Thursday.
Speaking at the ET Energy Leadership Summit 2025, Naik said rooftop solar and green hydrogen will together reshape India’s energy economy. “Every rooftop system empowers families, creates opportunities for youth, and strengthens the rural economy,” he said.
Under the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, rooftop solar is expected to provide free power to 1 crore households and cut 720 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over 25 years. The initiative also aims to build a local manufacturing and services ecosystem.
On hydrogen, Naik said India is targeting production of 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, supported by a ₹19,744 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission. “The mission is designed to cut costs, incentivise hydrogen and electrolysers, and make India a global hub for green hydrogen in hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, shipping and fertilisers,” he said.
India’s installed capacity has reached 495 GW, with non-fossil fuel sources accounting for 250 GW, or just over 50 per cent of the total. This milestone has been achieved five years ahead of schedule. Solar power stands at 123 GW, while wind contributes 52 GW.
Naik said India’s domestic clean energy supply chain has strengthened, with 100 GW of solar module manufacturing and 20 GW of wind turbine capacity, aided by the Production Linked Incentive scheme.
“The government must enable, industry must innovate, academia must advance technology, and citizens must embrace sustainable choices. Only together can we build an energy future that is secure, inclusive and sustainable,” Naik said.
- Published On Sep 25, 2025 at 08:02 PM IST
