Modi sets new target of 500 GW more clean power in 10–11 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set India a new target of adding another 500 gigawatts of non-fossil power capacity over the next 10 to 11 years, as he opened the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026 in New Delhi.

Speaking at Bharat Mandapam, Modi said India has more than 50 per cent non-fossil installed capacity and nearly 300 GW already achieved towards its 500 GW goal for 2030. India met its Paris pledge of drawing half its installed power capacity from non-fossil sources in 2025, five years ahead of schedule. Of the new target he said: "This target is somewhat difficult, but I have faith in the capability of my country; therefore I say, We will do it!"

Why he linked energy to the economy

Citing global disruptions from the pandemic to the continuing West Asia crisis, Modi said India's growth had stayed high despite them. He argued that a decade of investment in clean energy had cushioned the country, and that "the future of Energy Security lies in Clean Energy".

The numbers he cited

• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: launched in February 2024 for rooftop solar in one crore homes; over 65 lakh households have joined, about one lakh every six days. He said a study found bills fall by roughly 76 per cent.
• Government buildings: over 44,000 connected to solar, saving nearly ₹700 crore a year.
• KUSUM scheme: solar irrigation for over 30 lakh farmers; each solar pump beneficiary saves nearly ₹1 lakh a year.
• Manufacturing: solar module capacity has grown from about 2 GW a decade ago to over 200 GW, with nearly 40 GW of solar cell capacity.
• Green hydrogen: a target of 50 lakh tonnes by the end of the decade; India started its first Green Hydrogen Train a few months ago.
• Transmission: a target of about ₹2 lakh crore of investment to strengthen the grid.
• Investment: the sector has attracted over ₹15 lakh crore ($164 billion) in a decade, including over ₹6 lakh crore ($63 billion) since the 2024 RE-INVEST Summit; opportunities could exceed ₹20 lakh crore ($220 billion) by the end of the decade.

What he asked for

Modi urged startups, IITs and innovators to build round-the-clock solar models that meet most of a household's needs, including rooftop solar cooking and home charging of electric vehicles. He called for solar equipment for dairy, fodder and harvesting work, and said farmers should "move beyond solar pumps" by installing panels on vacant land and field boundaries. He also called for every government building, school, college and hospital to be connected to solar power quickly.

Beyond India

The Prime Minister said a $200 million Africa Solar Facility has been proposed. The summit runs from 2 to 5 November and coincides with the Ninth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance.

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Source: official release by the Prime Minister's Office, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (02 NOV 2026 7:15PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026; also English rendering of PM's address at the inauguration of Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo in Delhi.