India has shown leadership in climate action, Prime Minister Modi says
Maintaining that India is making great efforts in green growth and energy transition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the nation plans to achieve 50 percent non-fossil installed capacity by 2030.

"India is the most populated nation and the fastest-growing large economy in the world and yet we are moving strongly on our climate commitments, " he said in a video message to the G20 Energy Ministers Meet in Goa on Saturday (July 22, 2023).

Welcoming the dignitaries to India, Prime Minister Modi said that any discussion about the future, sustainability, growth and development is incomplete without mentioning energy as it impacts the development of individuals and nations at all levels. He underlined that even though every nation has a different reality and pathway for energy transition, he expressed his belief that the goals of every country are the same.

India had shown leadership in climate action, Prime Minister Modi said. He informed the gathering that India had achieved its non-fossil installed electric capacity target nine years in advance and had now set a higher target for itself and the nation plans to achieve 50 percent non-fossil installed capacity by 2030.

“India is also among the global leaders in solar and wind power”, he pointed out as he expressed delight that the Working Group delegates got a chance to witness the level and scale of India's commitment to clean energy by visiting the Pavagada Solar Park and Modhera Solar Village.

Prime Minister Modi used the occasion to highlight that India had connected more than 190 million families with LPG while also recording the historic milestone of connecting every village with electricity. He added that the government was working to provide piped cooking gas to people which has the potential to cover more than 90 percent of the population in a few years. “Our effort is to work for inclusive, resilient, equitable and sustainable energy for all”, he said.

In his video message, Prime Minister Modi spoke aboit how a small movement that began by launching a scheme for the use of LED lights went on to become the largest LED distribution program in the world, helping India save more than 45 billion units of energy per year. At the same time, he also touched upon starting the largest agricultural pump solarization initiative in the world and India's domestic electric vehicle market projection of 10 million annual sales by 2030.

He also highlighted that the rollout of 20 percent Ethanol Blended Petrol would begin this year, with an aim to cover the entire country by 2025. For decarbonizing India, Prime Minister Modi said that the country is working on mission mode on Green Hydrogen as an alternative. The aim is to transform India into a global hub for the production, use and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives, he pointed out.

The world looks up to the G20 group to advance sustainable, just, affordable, inclusive and clean energy transition, Prime Minister Modi said as he stressed the importance of taking the Global South along and ensuring low-cost finance for developing countries. He emphasized finding ways to bridge technology gaps, promote energy security and work on diversifying supply chains.

Prime Minister Modi also suggested strengthening collaboration on the ‘fuels for the future’ and remarked that the ‘High-level Principles on Hydrogen' are a step in the right direction. He added that transnational grid interconnections can enhance energy security and India is promoting this mutually beneficial cooperation with its neighbors. “Realizing the vision of inter-connected green grids can be transforming. It will enable all of us to meet our climate goals, stimulate green investment, and create millions of green jobs”, the Prime Minister said. He extended an invitation to all participating nations to join the Green Grids Initiative - ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’ of the International Solar Alliance.