"Clean energy need of hour": PM Modi applauds India's powering progress

New Delhi [India], October 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasized the importance of clean energy for a better future, stating that "clean energy is the need of the hour" reaffirming India's commitment to this critical goal.
PM Modi attached a post of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri underscoring India's powering progress between 2014 to 2024.
"Clean energy is the need of the hour. Our commitment to a better tomorrow is paramount and is reflected in our work," PM Modi wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Puri noted that India saved Rs 1,06,072 in foreign exchange with the use of green energy. The country substituted 181 Lakh MT of crude oil.
"India is powering progress, driving clean energy, and transforming lives under the dynamic leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji. In the decade between 2014-2024: Saved Rs 1,06,072 cr in foreign exchange. Cut 544 Lakh MT of CO2 emissions. Substituted 181 Lakh MT of crude oil. Paid Rs 90,059 cr to farmers through efforts towards ethanol blending turning Annadatas into Urjadatas and benefited more than 10.33 crore households with free LPG connections through PM Ujjwala Yojana," the Union Minister posted on X.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister Puri along with Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay took a ride on the Hydrogen bus, in Delhi.
"It is our expectation and I am happy that the (Bhutan) PM is gracing this. His presence here will help spread the green hydrogen story. From these 15 buses, we want to expand," the Union Minister said.
Earlier, the Union Minister said that India has been revising its blending targets due to forward-looking, responsive policies, which have enabled the industry to surpass its previous target of 10 per cent blending five months ahead of schedule.
Speaking at the "12th CII Bioenergy Summit 2024" in New Delhi, Puri expressed confidence and said, "India will achieve its 20 per cent ethanol blending target well before the revised deadline."
Originally set for 2030, the deadline has now been moved to October 2025, following which a roadmap will be developed to outline the sector's future outlook.
Puri also noted that the Indian energy market faces a "trilemma of availability, affordability, and sustainability." However, with strong market forces driving food-stock prices, blending will remain a more viable option.
India is embarking on an ambitious journey to expand its renewable energy (RE) capacity, aiming for 500 GW by 2030 and potentially 1 TW by 2035. This push is driven by the need to meet growing energy demands while transitioning away from fossil fuels to combat climate change. The country has made significant progress, with an installed RE capacity of 191 GW as of May 2024, including 85 GW of solar power. This growth has been fueled by government initiatives like the National Solar Mission.
At COP26, India committed to reducing projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. These commitments necessitate a rapid transition to renewables.
The target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 is a direct outcome of these climate goals. The renewable sector offers significant employment opportunities.According to a CEEW-NRDC report, India can potentially create about 3.4 million jobs (short and long term) by installing 238 GW solar and 101 GW new wind capacity by 2030
The government's focus on domestic manufacturing through initiatives like the PLI scheme for solar modules aims to capitalize on this job creation potential.
India's leadership in the International Solar Alliance and partnerships like the Global Biofuel Alliance and India-US Clean Energy and Climate Partnership have accelerated knowledge sharing and technology transfer. These collaborations also bring international attention and pressure to meet stated goals.