NEW DELHI: Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said that India’s Renewable Energy Sector is a leading global force and is rightly positioned to achieve and overtake the target of 500 GW by 2030. The Minister was addressing the Regional Review Meeting on Renewable Energy of in Jaipur. 

He added that renewable energy must play a more significant role in our energy mix to meet the demand of power in India which is going to be doubled by 2032.

The meeting reviewed the progress of RE sector in the Northern Region states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Union Minister Joshi emphasized the role of renewable energy in India’s transition to a sustainable energy economy, citing the government’s commitment to the Panchamrit initiative from COP26. He also noted that India’s world-leading green hydrogen bid and recent ₹32 lakh crore worth of investments in the renewable energy sector underscore the nation’s long-term dedication to a sustainable and energy-secure future.

The Minister added that Central Government has allocated an additional 5,000 MW to Rajasthan under the PM Kusum Scheme in January 2025 as requested by the state.  He also highlighted the recent inauguration of four solar power projects in Jaisalmer, totaling 1,200 MW. Reaffirming the state's pivotal role in India's renewable energy revolution, the Shri Joshi said that Union Government under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi emphasizes on collaborating with state governments for collective progress of all states.

The Minister said that that state-level reviews have been held in various regions, including Gandhinagar, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, and Mumbai, with plans for future meetings in Visakhapatnam, Varanasi, and Guwahati to further strengthen the sector's progress. He highlighted ongoing engagement of Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy(MNRE) with industry stakeholders to address challenges and expectations in the renewable energy sector.

Incentive amounts  to Discoms for promoting Rooftop Solar were disbursed to various Discoms by Union Minister Joshi during the review meeting. The incentives pertained to the financial years FY 20, FY 21, FY 22 and FY 23. Jodhpur and Ajmer Discoms of Rajasthan state were provided with incentive amounts of Rs. 39.43 crores and Rs. 17.59 crores respectively pertaining to Financial Years 21, 22, 23 and 24. Dakshin Haryana and Uttar Haryana  Discoms were provided with incentive amounts of Rs. 42.68 crores and Rs. 22.43 crores respectively pertaining to Financial Years 20, 21, 22 and 23. Punjab Discom (PSPCL) received an amount of Rs.11.39 crores pertaining to FY 23.Uttarakhand received Rs.9.48 crore as incentive for Financial Years 20, 21, 22 and 23. For Uttar Pradesh, Madhyanchal Discom received Rs.9.51 crores as incentive for Financial Years 21, 22 and 23.