India’s clean energy journey has crossed a defining threshold. The conversation is no longer about whether the country should embrace renewable power, it is firmly centred on how fast and how efficiently
this transition can be scaled. On International Clean Energy Day, industry leaders point to a decisive shift from ambition to action, backed by policy momentum, manufacturing transformation, and a growing emphasis on execution-led sustainability.
As Ranbir Mehra, Director, Lighting, Jaquar Group, notes, India has already demonstrated that speed and scale are achievable. Non-fossil fuel sources now account for more than 51.5% of the country’s installed power capacity, meeting a critical 2030 climate milestone well ahead of schedule. This progress, he explains, is the result of clear policy direction and sustained government action.
Frameworks such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar modules and cells, and continued investment in renewables, energy storage, and green hydrogen have collectively accelerated India’s move towards a solar-powered and self-reliant energy ecosystem. The emphasis has shifted from experimentation to implementation, signalling long-term confidence in clean energy as a growth driver.
For the manufacturing sector, traditionally among the most energy-intensive, this transition carries both strategic and environmental significance. Clean energy is increasingly being viewed not just as a climate responsibility, but as a competitive advantage. From renewable-based heat generation and captive solar and wind installations to cleaner and faster raw material processing, green power is enabling manufacturers to stabilise costs, cut emissions, and reduce the carbon intensity of their supply chains.
Mehra highlights that as India works towards its net-zero target by 2070, manufacturing will play a pivotal role in converting policy intent into measurable outcomes on the ground. At Jaquar Group, sustainability is embedded across operations, with initiatives focused on energy efficiency, water stewardship, and zero waste. These efforts are supported by Asia’s largest net-positive energy global headquarters, which is LEED Platinum certified, and more than 13.5 MW of solar capacity across facilities, together helping offset nearly 18,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Echoing the importance of execution, Vinay Shetty, Vice President, Solar Business Unit, Havells India, describes the current moment as a turning point in India’s energy transition. According to him, the focus has moved decisively from intent to action from questioning adoption to determining how quickly, intelligently, and effectively clean energy solutions can be deployed across a diverse and complex landscape.
However, Shetty cautions that capacity addition alone will not be enough. Scaling clean energy sustainably requires coordinated progress across multiple fronts: technological innovation, high-quality and resilient infrastructure, dependable supply chains, and continuous investment in skill development. Reliability and efficiency, he stresses, must be built into every layer of the ecosystem.
Equally critical is embedding sustainability throughout the energy value chain from generation and transmission to end consumption. This integrated approach ensures that growth remains inclusive, resilient, and aligned with long-term environmental goals. While adoption rates are encouraging, the real challenge lies in precision-led execution aligning policy, technology, finance, and human capital to unlock systemic impact.
What makes this phase especially transformative, Shetty adds, is the opportunity to prove that large-scale clean energy integration is not only achievable, but also a catalyst for economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and social development. India’s clean energy narrative today is increasingly defined by data-driven decisions, disciplined scaling, and sustainable ambition positioning the country as a global benchmark for how emerging economies can transition at scale.
Together, these perspectives underline a shared reality: India’s clean energy future is no longer aspirational. It is being built methodically, collaboratively, and at unprecedented speed.
