PM Modi calls to democratize solar manufacturing and technology for developing nations

PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 5 emphasised the need to democratize solar manufacturing and technology for developing nations.

Addressing the International Solar Festival, Modi said in a virtual message that empowering the least developed countries and small island developing states should be a top priority.

“The world must collectively address the imbalance in concentration of green energy investments in order to ensure an energy transition,” said Modi.

Modi said that India’s solar energy capacity has increased 32-fold in the last 10 years and the speed and scale of capacity expansion would help the country in achieving 500GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.

“India is committed to work with the world for a green future. Every effort to build an inclusive clean and green planet will have India’s support,” he added.

Inaugurating the event, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said India's installed renewable capacity has increased by 165 percent in the past decade, rising from 76.4 gigawatt in 2014 to 2,004 GW in 2024.

“As a global climate leader, India champions the practical, affordable, sustainable solution that will help the nation to meet their developmental needs,” said Joshi.

India added 14.9 gigawatt of solar capacity in the first half of the calendar year 2024, which is an increase of 282 percent from the same period last year, said Joshi. The minister added that this was the highest half yearly solar installation recorded in the country.

“India's cumulative installed solar capacity stands at more than 87.02 gigawatt between utility scale projects making up 87 percent and rooftop solar accounting for 13 percent,” added Joshi.