New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): India has set an ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of clean energy capacity by 2030, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, highlighting the country’s strong performance in climate action.
Speaking at a climate resilience dialogue in New Delhi, Goyal said India has already met its earlier renewable energy targets ahead of schedule and continues to rank among the top performers globally in meeting its climate commitments under the G20 framework.
He noted that India’s solar energy capacity target, initially set at 20 GW, was significantly scaled up to 100 GW after 2014 and achieved within the planned timeframe, reflecting the country’s accelerated push toward clean energy expansion.
Goyal said India has evolved from being viewed as a cautious participant in global climate discussions to becoming a key leader, especially since the Paris COP21 agreement, where it played a significant role in building consensus among developed and developing nations.
He also pointed to India’s growing global economic engagement, with active trade discussions underway with several countries across regions including North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Eurasia. According to him, the world is increasingly recognising India’s growth potential and its expanding role in global trade partnerships.
The minister added that climate action in India is no longer seen as a burden but as an economic opportunity, with the renewable energy sector contributing to job creation, industrial growth, and export potential.
He highlighted major reforms in the power sector, including the development of a unified national grid, expansion of transmission infrastructure, and efforts to strengthen base-load capacity to support renewable integration.
Goyal also stressed the importance of collective action in addressing climate challenges, urging individuals and industries to adopt energy-efficient practices such as reducing consumption, improving efficiency, and supporting sustainable behaviour changes.
He said such combined efforts will be crucial not only for achieving climate goals but also for unlocking new economic opportunities in emerging sectors.
