Innovation to Drive India’s Solar Self-Reliance by 2050: Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said that by 2050, India aims not only to meet its clean energy goals but also to emerge as a global hub for solar innovation, manufacturing, and knowledge exchange. Addressing the eighth session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, she emphasized India’s steady progress toward becoming a global leader in solar energy and its commitment to integrating global solar demand with domestic innovation.

Highlighting the human aspect of the clean energy transition, President Murmu urged member nations to think beyond infrastructure and focus on how solar energy can transform lives. She called for a collective action plan linking solar initiatives with employment generation, women’s leadership, rural livelihoods, and digital inclusion. The ISA, she said, represents a shared global aspiration to harness solar power for inclusive growth and collective prosperity.

Underscoring India’s fight against climate change, the President stressed that progress should be measured not only in megawatts but in the positive changes brought to communities. She also advocated for sharing advanced solar technologies globally to ensure equitable development and maximum benefit.

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs and New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, highlighted India’s rapid strides in clean energy. He noted that the country’s renewable energy capacity has surged from 81 GW in 2014 to 257 GW, marking a major milestone in the clean energy journey.

Joshi further said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India achieved its target of generating 50% of its power capacity from non-fossil sources—five years ahead of the 2030 deadline. Initiatives such as PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, and “Ek Surya, Ek Vishwa, One Grid” are driving affordable energy access, empowering rural communities, and promoting South-South cooperation in renewable energy development.