India to build complete swadeshi solar value chain with indigenous cell manufacturing by 2028: Pralhad Joshi

The country is also developing domestic capacity for wafers and ingots, reducing import dependence and generating employment.

MNRE Minister Pralhad Joshi launches new ₹100 crore Call for Proposals to support start-ups in hydrogen innovation.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi has announced that India is moving towards building a complete Swadeshi solar value chain, with the target of achieving indigenous solar cell manufacturing by 2028. Speaking at the State Review Meeting on Renewable Energy organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the minister said that the country is now advancing beyond modules to develop domestic capacity for wafers and ingots as well, ensuring that the entire solar manufacturing ecosystem is established within India. This step will reduce import dependence and generate employment, boost investment, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in clean energy manufacturing.

Joshi also appreciated the remarkable efforts of states in advancing renewable energy initiatives, noting that these contributions are strengthening India’s position as a global leader in the sector. India’s 2030 vision of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity is already more than halfway achieved, with the country crossing 251.5 GW of non-fossil capacity. He termed this achievement a testament to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which transformed India’s clean energy growth and domestic manufacturing in the RE sector and is accelerating the march towards Viksit Bharat.

Progress under PM Surya ghar and PM-KUSUM

Highlighting key schemes, he said that nearly 20 lakh households have already benefited under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Also urged states and DISCOMs to ensure strict quality compliance, finalise agreements without delay, and offer the best possible tariff credits to consumers. On PM-KUSUM, he noted that after initial reluctance, the scheme has now gained strong momentum across states, with demand for additional allocations from Chief Ministers, and announced that the second phase of PM-KUSUM will be launched after the present phase ends in March 2026.

On the issue of free electricity, Joshi observed that benefits must be delivered in a financially sustainable way and pointed out that nearly half the beneficiaries under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana are receiving zero electricity bills, demonstrating a model that combines relief for citizens with long-term sustainability.

Strengthening Renewable Energy Growth and Ease of Doing Business

The minister underlined that India has also achieved the milestone of 50 per cent of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources five years ahead of schedule. However, he cautioned that capacity addition must be complemented by effective utilisation and urged states to expedite Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), power purchase agreements (PPAs), and land allotments in a transparent manner. He said timely action is the backbone of this system. If we keep delaying procurement on the expectation that tariffs will fall further, we are missing the bigger picture,” the minister said.

Joshi called on states to strengthen the ease of doing business in the renewable sector by adopting single-window clearance systems, reducing compliances, and resolving right-of-way and law-and-order issues faced by developers. Investor confidence hinges on proactive facilitation by state governments. He also called upon wind-rich states to come up with time-bound roadmaps for new site allocation and transmission readiness.

He welcomed the recent GST cut on renewable energy devices and services from 12 to 5 per cent, which would make solar, wind, biogas, and waste-to-energy systems affordable. He urged states to promote these technologies more actively.

On domestic manufacturing, Joshi highlighted the success of the PLI Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules with an outlay of ₹24,000 crore. He informed us that India now has 100 GW of module manufacturing capacity, ₹50,000 crore in investments, and over 12,600 direct jobs created under the scheme.

Joshi also emphasised the importance of collective action from the Centre, states, industry, and citizens for India’s energy transition, pledging full support from MNRE and inviting stakeholders to share ideas for accelerating renewable energy growth.

Shripad Naik said, “PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana schemes lie at the heart of our mission to ensure energy security, sustainability, and empowerment of citizens. The PM-KUSUM Scheme has been a true game-changer for our farmers. Out of the 49 lakh solar pumps allocated, over 16 lakh have already been installed or solarised. This has reduced diesel consumption by 1.3 billion litres annually, cut 40 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, and saved precious foreign exchange. In PMSGY, installations are happening at the rate of 4,500 systems per day, supported by over 18,000 vendors nationwide, and PM KUSUM and PMSGY represent the spirit of India’s energy transition, empowering farmers and households, cutting emissions, creating jobs, and positioning India as a global leader in renewable energy.

Secretary of MNRE Santosh Kumar Sarangi said that India’s green energy transition is vital for achieving net zero by 2070, with targets of 1,800 GW renewable capacity by 2047 and 5,000 GW by 2070. He highlighted successful state practices such as Maharashtra’s PM-KUSUM implementation, Gujarat’s renewable clusters, and Karnataka’s land facilitation.

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The review meeting organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy featured a state-wise assessment of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM, with states presenting their progress and challenges. Industry associations made detailed presentations on current issues in the renewable energy sector. There were also stakeholder consultations on the design and implementation of PM-KUSUM 2.0. These deliberations aimed at aligning state action, industry inputs, and policy reforms to accelerate renewable energy deployment across the country. The meeting brought together representatives from renewable energy-rich states to review progress and chart the future roadmap for India’s clean energy transition.

Moreover, Pralhad Joshi  launched a new ₹100 crore Call for Proposals to support start-ups in hydrogen innovation while inaugurating the 1st Annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in New Delhi. The scheme will provide up to ₹5 crore per project for pilot projects in innovative hydrogen production, storage, transport and utilisation technologies. At the conference, 25 start-ups are showcasing their innovations, ranging from electrolyser manufacturing to AI-driven optimisation and biological hydrogen solutions.

Joshi emphasised that the conference is about sharing ideas and turning research into practical solutions that can power industries, clean cities, and create lakhs of new jobs across India. He underscored the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) in 2023, to transform India’s energy landscape and make the country a global hub for green hydrogen. With an outlay of ₹19,744 crore, the Mission rests on four pillars – Policy and Regulatory Framework, Demand Creation, R&D and Innovation, and Enabling Infrastructure.

R&D progress under NGHM

Highlighting progress in research and development, the minister said that the dedicated R&D scheme under NGHM has already awarded 23 projects in the first round of the call for proposals. These cover key areas such as safety and integration, hydrogen production from biomass, hydrogen applications, and non-biomass hydrogen production routes. Leading IITs, IISERs, CSIR labs and industry partners are implementing these projects. The second round of R&D proposals, launched on 14 July 2025, remains open until 15 September 2025. Internationally too, collaboration is expanding under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, with over 30 joint proposals received on hydrogen production from waste.

Building a green hydrogen ecosystem: From vision to action

Joshi stressed that the green hydrogen ecosystem in India is already moving from vision to action. India’s first port-based green hydrogen pilot project has been launched at V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu. In the steel sector, five pilot projects are demonstrating hydrogen-based decarbonisation. In shipping, vessels are being retrofitted, and refuelling facilities are being developed at Tuticorin Port. In transport, hydrogen buses and refuelling stations are operational. In fertilisers, India has launched hydrogen buses and refuelling stations in transport and conducted its first-ever green ammonia auction, achieving a historic low price of ₹49.75 per kg, with supplies set to begin at Paradeep Phosphates in Odisha.

The enablers are already in place, including the Green Hydrogen Standard and Certification scheme aligned with over 140 international standards, the sanctioning of five new testing facilities, the certification of more than 5,600 trainees in hydrogen-related qualifications, and regulatory waivers such as transmission charge exemptions and streamlined clearances. Dedicated hydrogen hubs are being developed at Kandla, Paradip and Tuticorin Ports to strengthen India’s export competitiveness. He added that both large enterprises like NTPC, Reliance and IOCL and start-ups and MSMEs are investing heavily in hydrogen, building a robust value chain and creating lakhs of new jobs.

Reiterating India’s commitment, Joshi said that NGHM aims for five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production annually by 2030, 125 GW of new renewable capacity, investments of ₹8 lakh crore, six lakh new jobs, and 50 million tonnes of CO₂ reduction each year.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also inaugurated the start-up exhibition held as part of the conference.

Addressing the inaugural session, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, said, “R&D empowers the nation to solve complex challenges and drive economic growth. R&D is not optional but essential.”

MNRE Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi said, “The Green Hydrogen R&D programme has a budgetary outlay of ₹400 crore, and MNRE is ready to collaborate and support all stakeholders in driving forward the National Green Hydrogen Mission.”

Mission Director of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Dr Abhay Bhakre, said that India today stands at the threshold of becoming a global leader in green hydrogen.

The 1st Annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference 2025, organised by MNRE and held on 11-12 September 2025, featured expert sessions, interactive roundtables, and a Start-up Expo with 25 pioneering companies driving India’s green energy revolution.