New Delhi: Stressing that India is the only G20 nation to have met its climate targets ahead of schedule, Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said that Renewable Energy (RE) generation in India has increased by 86 percent in the last decade. Delivering the keynote address at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference in Germany on Monday, Joshi said, “… under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed a transformative increase in its renewable energy capacity since 2014, with a 175 percent rise from 75 GW to over 208 GW today. Total RE increased from 193.5 billion units to 360 BU, marking an 86 percent rise during this period. Solar energy capacity has also grown 33 times in the last 10 years.” Joshi also emphasised that the International Solar Alliance (ISA), supported by over 100 countries, demonstrates India’s leadership in global efforts to combat climate change through solar energy.
The minister remarked that India stands as a global voice of reason in its commitment to the pursuit of a sustainable energy future that aligns with our growth ambitions and environmental responsibilities. “India is the only G20 country to have met its climate targets ahead of schedule, despite having the lowest per capita emissions among G20 nations,” he remarked. He emphasized that energy security and access remain paramount for India, but this has never hindered the nation’s commitment to energy transition on both national and global scales.
Addressing the theme of Green Shipping, Joshi emphasized the crucial role of the maritime sector in global trade and its impact on greenhouse gas emissions. He stated, “As we progress towards achieving net-zero emissions, the necessity for sustainable maritime transport has become very important. India is making significant strides in the green shipping sector, driven by government initiatives, technological advancements, and international collaborations.”
The minister detailed how Indian shipyards are being modernised and older dockyards are being evaluated for reopening to expand green shipbuilding capacity. “India is becoming a promising hub for green shipbuilding,” he noted, citing the government’s strong emphasis on alternative fuels and renewable energy sources like biofuels and wind power. India is upgrading its port infrastructure to support green shipping fuels and vessels using hybrid models, with the goal of ranking among the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched with an outlay of $2.4 billion, aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030, attracting over $100 billion in investments and creating more than 6 lakh jobs. He also invited international stakeholders to collaborate in India’s ambitious green hydrogen and renewable energy projects.
Pilot projects under the NGHM, with an investment of $14 million, are already exploring the use of green hydrogen in the shipping sector. “We are focusing on converting existing vessels to operate on green hydrogen or its derivatives. The Shipping Corporation of India is currently converting two vessels to run on green methanol,” the minister explained.
India, with an investment of approximately $25 million, is setting the stage for development of hydrogen hubs that will transform its energy landscape. Moreover, ports such as Deendayal, Paradip, and V.O. Chidambaranar are being developed into key hydrogen hubs with bunkering and refuelling facilities to support green hydrogen-powered ships, the minister said.
“India’s embrace of innovative technologies, investment in robust infrastructure, and cultivation of international cooperation have elevated us from a mere participant to a leading force in this global transition,” said Joshi.
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