India’s Energy Sector Driving Global Growth – PM Modi at India Energy Week 2025

"India is driving not only its growth but also the growth of the world, with the energy sector playing a significant role,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his video message at the inaugural session of India Energy Week 2025 (IEW’25).

Taking place from February 11-14 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, IEW’25 is the largest global energy event of the year, highlighting India’s leadership in the energy transition. With over 70,000 delegates, 700+ exhibitors, and 500 speakers, it is the second-largest energy gathering globally in terms of participation, exhibition space, and sessions.

Further, in his inaugural address, he highlighted India's growing significance in the global energy landscape and its ambitious plans for the future. He remarked that experts worldwide agree that the 21st century belongs to India.

Welcoming both domestic and international guests, he pointed out that the attendees are crucial to India's energy ambitions, which are rooted in five key pillars viz. harnessing resources, fostering innovation, maintaining political and economic stability, leveraging strategic geography for energy trade, and ensuring global sustainability. Modi underscored that India’s next two decades are pivotal in achieving its vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

He reaffirmed that India is poised to achieve several monumental milestones by 2030, including 500 GW of renewable energy capacity, net-zero carbon emissions for Indian Railways, and five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production annually.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that these targets may seem ambitious but emphasised that the nation's progress in the last decade instills confidence in their feasibility. He cited India’s rise from the 10th largest to the 5th largest economy, with solar energy capacity increasing thirty-two-fold in the past decade. As a result, India is now the third-largest solar power producer globally.

India's non-fossil fuel energy capacity has tripled, and the country has become the first G20 nation to meet the Paris Agreement's goals. The Prime Minister also noted that India's ethanol blending rate has reached 19 percent, contributing to significant foreign exchange savings and reductions in CO2 emissions. The government aims for a 20 percent ethanol mandate by October 2025, with the biofuels sector on the brink of rapid growth, utilising 500 million metric tonnes of sustainable feedstock.

He further noted that during India’s G20 presidency, the Global Biofuels Alliance was established and is continuously expanding, now involving 28 nations and 12 international organisations. He highlighted that this alliance is transforming waste into wealth and setting up Centers of Excellence.

The Prime Minister also spoke about India’s hydrocarbon resources, highlighting major discoveries and the ongoing expansion of gas infrastructure. With India being the fourth-largest refining hub, the government is working to increase refining capacity by 20 percent. Additionally, India’s sedimentary basins contain significant untapped resources, with the government having introduced the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) to enhance the upstream sector's attractiveness.

He also noted that ongoing reforms, such as the opening of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the establishment of a single-window clearance system, are aimed at boosting exploration and production, particularly in the maritime sector. Modi stressed India’s commitment to 'Make in India', particularly in the manufacturing of solar components like photovoltaic (PV) modules. The country’s solar PV manufacturing capacity has grown from 2 GW to 70 GW in just ten years, spurred by the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

With the rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs), India is focusing on developing its battery and storage sectors, with several budget announcements designed to support green energy innovation. Notably, the government has exempted various critical minerals, such as lithium-ion battery waste, cobalt powder, and lead, from customs duties and is promoting the non-lithium battery ecosystem. The National Critical Minerals Mission will play a pivotal role in building a resilient supply chain for these sectors.

The Prime Minister also highlighted efforts to empower ordinary citizens and farmers as energy providers. The 'PM Suryagarh Free Electricity Scheme,' launched last year, is not only boosting solar energy production but also creating a skilled workforce in the sector, thereby increasing investment opportunities and fostering the development of a new service ecosystem.

Concluding his address, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's commitment to providing energy solutions that both energise growth and enrich nature. He expressed optimism that India Energy Week 2025 would drive concrete outcomes, encouraging participants to explore every emerging opportunity in India's energy sector.