Energy Transition Can Boost Jobs, Industry and Growth: Pralhad Joshi

27 Jan 2026 CW Team

Speaking at a high-level session titled “Energy: The Great Funding Gap” during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, the Union Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has transformed its clean energy transition into a people-centric development movement. He added that the approach has simultaneously strengthened energy security while lowering power costs for industry and consumers.

The Union Minister noted that India has already achieved 267 GW of installed non-fossil fuel-based capacity, with renewable energy accounting for around 52% of the country’s total installed power capacity, well ahead of initial targets. He stressed that India views the energy transition not just as an environmental obligation but as a key driver of economic growth and affordable electricity.

Highlighting flagship decentralised initiatives, he said that PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana has enabled rooftop solar installations in 2.7 million households over the past two years, with a target of covering 10 million households and generating around 30 GW of power. Under PM-KUSUM, over 2.1 million farmers have solarised their irrigation pumps, reducing dependence on subsidised grid power and creating opportunities to earn additional income by selling surplus electricity. “These initiatives are not only providing affordable energy but are also turning consumers into ‘prosumers’, improving household incomes and rural livelihoods,” the Minister said.

The Union Minister also highlighted India’s expanding clean energy manufacturing ecosystem, noting 144 GW of solar module capacity and rapidly growing solar cell manufacturing, alongside scaling up of wind energy, battery storage and pumped storage solutions. He added that India is pursuing an integrated strategy combining renewables, storage and nuclear power to ensure reliability, demonstrating that energy security, affordability and sustainability can be achieved together.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi has said that India’s energy transition has been strategically designed to act as a catalyst for industrialisation, employment generation and global competitiveness, offering a scalable model for emerging economies.Speaking at a high-level session titled “Energy: The Great Funding Gap” during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, the Union Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has transformed its clean energy transition into a people-centric development movement. He added that the approach has simultaneously strengthened energy security while lowering power costs for industry and consumers.The Union Minister noted that India has already achieved 267 GW of installed non-fossil fuel-based capacity, with renewable energy accounting for around 52% of the country’s total installed power capacity, well ahead of initial targets. He stressed that India views the energy transition not just as an environmental obligation but as a key driver of economic growth and affordable electricity.Highlighting flagship decentralised initiatives, he said that PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana has enabled rooftop solar installations in 2.7 million households over the past two years, with a target of covering 10 million households and generating around 30 GW of power. Under PM-KUSUM, over 2.1 million farmers have solarised their irrigation pumps, reducing dependence on subsidised grid power and creating opportunities to earn additional income by selling surplus electricity. “These initiatives are not only providing affordable energy but are also turning consumers into ‘prosumers’, improving household incomes and rural livelihoods,” the Minister said.The Union Minister also highlighted India’s expanding clean energy manufacturing ecosystem, noting 144 GW of solar module capacity and rapidly growing solar cell manufacturing, alongside scaling up of wind energy, battery storage and pumped storage solutions. He added that India is pursuing an integrated strategy combining renewables, storage and nuclear power to ensure reliability, demonstrating that energy security, affordability and sustainability can be achieved together.

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Pune To Build Nine Km Link Road Between Highways

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to appoint an expert to plan the development of a nine km long, 60 metre wide road from Khadi Machine chowk to Wadki chowk as an extension to the Katraj-Kondhwa road to link the Mumbai-Satara and Pune-Solapur national highways. The scheme is intended to divert heavy vehicle traffic away from the city and improve access between the two arterial routes. The project has been prioritised by the PMC and forms part of a larger set of schemes in which 19 roads have been identified for development at a combined cost of Rs 9.82 billion (bn) to address c..

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Barabanki Bahraich Six Lane Highway Approved in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved construction of a new six-lane highway linking Barabanki and Bahraich as part of National Highway 927, and the cabinet has cleared the project. The alignment will pass through Mustafabad and Kaiserganj and extend for about 101.5 km, creating a key corridor for local and long-distance movement. The National Highways Authority of India will oversee the work and has signalled the scheme is intended to strengthen regional connectivity and cross-border access to Nepal. The project carries an estimated total cost of Rs 69,690 million, equivalent to Rs 69.69..

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Toll At Kharegaon Likely As Highway Upgrade Nears Completion

A section of the highway at Kharegaon has undergone an upgrade and is approaching completion, and authorities have indicated plans for a toll to be introduced once works finish. The project has focused on strengthening the carriageway, improving drainage and upgrading intersections to enhance safety and capacity. Officials have said the toll will be used to recover construction costs and fund ongoing maintenance. The upgrade included resurfacing of the pavement, widening of certain stretches and installation of modern signage and lighting to reduce accident risk. Contractors completed most ma..