India Reaffirms 500 GW Non-Fossil Target and 266 GW Renewable Milestone at 16th IRENA Assembly

Key facts

• India’s Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, delivered the national statement at the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on January 12, 2026.
• Joshi reaffirmed India’s target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and Net Zero emissions by 2070.
• India achieved 50 percent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources in 2025, five years ahead of its Paris Agreement NDC target.
• India’s renewable energy capacity now exceeds 266 GW, with nearly 50 GW added in 2025 alone.
• Under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, 2.5 million households gained rooftop solar in under two years, targeting 10 million by March 2027.
• PM-KUSUM has been deployed for 2.17 million farmers via diesel pump replacements and solarised agricultural feeders.
• India requires USD 300 billion by 2030 for renewables, storage, green hydrogen, grids, and manufacturing.
• Joshi urged international collaboration on technology transfer, low-cost finance, capacity building, and standards harmonisation, especially for developing nations.
• In a bilateral meeting, Joshi discussed with the UAE's Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, ways to deepen ties in renewables, decentralised energy, manufacturing, storage, and blended finance.