News On Air | India as G20 President: A Catalyst for Sustainable Energy Transition

Jan 27,2023

As the G20 president for 2023, India holds a crucial role in revitalizing global commitments to energy transition and leading the collective voice of developing nations striving for sustainable and equitable development. The G20 presidency also presents a significant opportunity for India to showcase its commitment and actions towards various international agreements and initiatives.

India’s Renewable Energy Leadership
India is the third-largest producer of renewable energy in the world and boasts the fourth-largest installed wind energy capacity and the fifth-largest solar installed capacity. With the fastest-growing renewable energy capacity in the world, India is well-positioned to lead the charge in sustainable energy solutions.

National Hydrogen Mission and International Partnerships
In his Independence Day address on 15th August 2021, Prime Minister Modi announced the National Hydrogen Mission, with the objectives of decarbonizing major economic sectors, making India energy independent, and serving as an inspiration for the global clean energy transition. The mission aims to provide a comprehensive action plan for establishing a green hydrogen ecosystem. India has also signed agreements with Denmark, Australia, and Germany for the development of green hydrogen in 2022.

Biofuels and the Global Biofuels Alliance
At the Voice of Global South Summit, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized the benefits of biofuels and announced India’s proposal for a Global Biofuels Alliance under the G20. The aim of the alliance is to support projects that increase the deployment of biofuels and related technology.

International Solar Alliance
India and France jointly conceived the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to mobilize efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions. All member states of the United Nations are eligible to join ISA, and at present, 110 countries are signatories to the ISA framework agreement.

As the G20 energy deliberations in India approach, the spotlight will be on how India will steer the energy transition as G20 president, leveraging its experience, best practices, and cutting-edge technology in the fields of hydrogen, solar, and biofuels to inspire and support the global clean energy transition.

In an exclusive interview with DD India, Dinesh Dayanand Jagdale, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said, ”India has made significant progress in the field of renewable energy, as demonstrated by its rapidly growing renewable energy capacity and its position as a top destination for investments in this field. In terms of specific achievements, India has exceeded its goals for 2030, reaching 167 GW of installed renewables on a grid capacity of 488 GW, nine years ahead of schedule.”

“As a leader in the field, India plans to continue to steer the global energy transition through its role in the G20. As part of the Energy Transition Working Group under the India G20 presidency, India has set priorities for increasing renewable energy capacity, fostering collaborations on biofuels, supply chain, and decentralized renewable energy, and showcasing its progress to the world as an example of how collective action can lead to a green energy transition,” he further said.