New Delhi, March 12: India’s installed solar energy capacity has now reached approximately 136 gigawatts, accounting for nearly half of the country’s renewable energy capacity, according to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Prahlad Joshi. He stated that this achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished through consistent policy commitment and innovation.
During his address at the ISA Foundation Day ceremony, Joshi emphasized the growing global momentum for solar energy and the significant role of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in accelerating the transition to clean energy worldwide.
He remarked, “In the last decade, the ISA has helped turn the promise of solar energy into real, life-changing impacts across the globe. The ISA has played a crucial role in accelerating the global energy transition in emerging and developing economies where solar energy is most needed, providing clean and reliable electricity to communities that require it the most.”
Joshi noted that what began as a powerful vision has now transformed into a coalition of over 120 countries working together to expedite the global solar transition.
He highlighted key initiatives that are helping to deliver the benefits of solar energy directly to people. For instance, the PM Surya Ghar scheme enables millions of households to generate their own clean electricity, while the PM-KUSUM initiative empowers farmers through solar-powered irrigation systems.
He added that it took nearly 25 years to install the first 1,000 gigawatts of solar capacity globally, but the next 1,000 gigawatts is expected to be established at a much faster pace, signaling a new era in the global energy transition.
Joshi pointed out that the center of the clean energy transition is gradually shifting towards the Global South, where rising energy demands and abundant solar resources present an unprecedented opportunity to leapfrog traditional energy pathways.
In this context, he stated that the ISA has emerged as a unique platform that brings together governments, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector to promote the expansion of solar energy and unlock new opportunities for sustainable development.
Ashish Khanna, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, remarked, “Our members from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and other regions are the true custodians of ISA’s progress. Their trust, leadership, and ambition define every achievement. I am also grateful to our 77 partner organizations and the growing community of young solar professionals trained at IIT Delhi, who advance this mission every day.”
The alliance was established in 2015 under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and France during the COP-21 climate conference.
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