Narendra Modi Announces India Met Climate Target Five Years Early

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced at the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit in New Delhi that India met its Paris Agreement commitment to source 50 percent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources in 2025, five years ahead of schedule. Current non-fossil fuel capacity exceeds 310 GW, with the government now targeting 500 GW.

Modi reported that more than 44,000 government buildings are now connected to solar energy, resulting in annual savings of approximately Rs 700 crore. The government is now expanding this transition to include all schools, colleges, hospitals, and street-lighting systems. Other key initiatives include the PM-KUSUM scheme, which provided solar-powered irrigation to over 30 lakh farmers, and the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which has reached more than 65 lakh households since February 2024.

Renewable Energy Minister Prahlad Joshi stated the sector attracted nearly Rs 6 lakh crore in investments and $6.2 billion in foreign direct investment over the last two years. Looking forward, India aims to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030 and expand transmission through Green Energy Corridors. To support developing economies, the government proposed a $200-million Africa Solar Facility.