New Delhi, September 30 (Daily Kiran) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a significant advancement in India’s renewable energy ambitions with the Cabinet’s approval of the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) plan. This initiative aims to help the country achieve a target of 900 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2035. Modi emphasized that this decision will accelerate the transition to clean energy, strengthen the power grid, and create numerous job opportunities.
In a post on the social media platform X, Modi highlighted the benefits of the GEC-III, stating it would ensure the evacuation of 135 gigawatts of renewable energy, develop 50 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery storage capacity, and fortify the electricity grid across states and Union Territories.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the plan will generate substantial employment opportunities in manufacturing, construction, and energy storage sectors, further accelerating India’s clean energy transformation.
Additionally, in another post, Modi reassured farmers that the government is committed to protecting their interests and increasing their incomes. He announced an increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season, ensuring farmers receive fair prices for their produce.
The Cabinet’s approval of the GEC-III plan aims to develop the necessary infrastructure for effective transmission and integration of up to 135 gigawatts of renewable energy across the nation.
India’s energy sector has experienced rapid growth in recent years. By July 2026, the country’s total installed power generation capacity reached 552 gigawatts, compared to approximately 249 gigawatts in 2014. This includes over 300.50 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel energy capacity, accounting for more than 54 percent of the total installed electricity capacity. India is currently the third-largest country in the world in terms of installed renewable energy capacity.
The country has also made remarkable advancements in solar energy. By July 2026, India’s installed solar capacity reached 164.59 gigawatts, a significant increase from just 2.8 gigawatts in 2014. Solar energy has now become the largest component of India’s total renewable energy capacity.
In 2025, India emerged as the second-largest solar energy growth market globally, adding over 37 gigawatts of new solar capacity, while the United States recorded an increase of about 34 gigawatts.
The GEC-III plan is expected to be completed by the 2032-33 fiscal year, with a total estimated cost exceeding ₹1.86 lakh crore. Of this, ₹1.36 lakh crore will be allocated for developing transmission systems within states, while ₹50,000 crore will be used to establish a 50 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS).
Under this initiative, battery energy storage systems will be installed at renewable energy production sites or other critical grid locations. Their primary goal is to effectively manage challenges associated with the intermittent availability of solar and wind energy, grid congestion, and peak hour demands.
The government has also earmarked ₹54,082 crore in central financial assistance for this ambitious project.
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