By 2047, as India celebrates a century of independence, it also aspires to achieve energy independence . A tate powered not by coal and oil, but by the sun, wind, and hydrogen. A nation powered entirely by clean, self-sustaining energy. The vision is grand, the challenges enormous, yet the ambition is to transform the world’s third-largest energy consumer into a global leader in renewable innovation.

India’s energy sector is undergoing a structural planned transformation aimed at achieving sustainability, reliability, and self-sufficiency by 2047. As one of the fastest-growing economies and the third-largest energy consumer globally, the country’s approach to renewable energy has major implications not only for its domestic policy but also for global climate goals.
For decades, India’s growth story was powered by coal and oil . Even today, nearly 55% of the country’s energy comes from coal, while imports meet over 80% of its oil needs. Yet, the last two decades have witnessed a silent revolution. The National Solar Mission launched in 2010 underlined India’s intent to make solar energy the cornerstone of its clean future. The International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded by India and France in 2015, gave this intent a global stage. And in 2021, the National Hydrogen Mission added a futuristic layer to produce “green hydrogen” that could decarbonize industries from . At the 2021 Glasgow Climate Summit (COP26), Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India’s Panchamrit goals: achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, meeting 50% of energy needs from renewables, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. It was not just a climate promise; it was a statement of economic independence.
The central premise of India’s 2047 plan is to achieve energy independence through diversification and innovation. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) projects that renewable sources will form the majority of installed power capacity by 2047. This will require a rapid scale-up of renewable infrastructure, modernization of the national grid, and an investment-friendly ecosystem for clean technology. NITI Aayog’s India Energy Outlook 2023 estimates that electricity demand will nearly double by 2030. To meet this demand sustainably, India must transition from being a fossil-dependent system to one based on solar, wind, hydrogen, and nuclear energy, supported by efficient storage technologies.
Key Pillars of India’s Renewable Transition:

Green Hydrogen

Government launched “ The National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023)” , with an initial budget of ₹19,744 crore which aims to make India a global hub for hydrogen production, use, and export. The mission targets the annual production of 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030, potentially reducing 50 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
Public sector enterprises such as NTPC and Indian Oil Corporation, along with private players like Reliance and Adani, are developing pilot projects for hydrogen electrolysis and mobility. India’s strategic collaborations with the European Union, Japan, Australia, and the UAE are expected to facilitate both technology transfer and global market access.
Hydrogen is particularly significant for hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, fertilizers, and heavy transport. However, challenges remain concerning the high cost of electrolysers, water availability, and renewable electricity supply consistency

Solar Energy

Solar energy remains the cornerstone of India’s renewable expansion. With over 82 GW of installed solar capacity, India ranks among the top five nations globally in solar deployment. Large-scale projects like the Bhadla Solar Park (Rajasthan) and upcoming ultra-mega parks in Ladakh and Gujarat demonstrate the government’s focus on utility-scale capacity building.
In addition to grid-scale power, schemes like the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (2024) aim to promote rooftop solar for households and small enterprises. At the international level, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) — co-founded by India — now has over 120 member countries and is facilitating cross-border collaboration on financing and technology exchange.
Yet, India’s solar supply chain still depends heavily on Chinese imports for cells and modules. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar manufacturing seeks to address this gap by supporting domestic manufacturing facilities and integrated supply chains.

Wind Energy

India’s coastline and plateaus make it one of the world’s most promising wind energy regions. The country has already installed 44 GW of onshore wind capacity, largely in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Karnataka. The new frontier is offshore wind. The government has identified sites in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu capable of generating up to 70 GW. The first 4 GW of offshore projects are set for auction soon, with Danish and Japanese companies already expressing interest. To integrate this wind power efficiently, India is developing a “green energy corridor” i.e a massive transmission network connecting renewable hubs to demand centres.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy plays a smaller but strategically important role in India’s long-term plan. With an installed capacity of 7.5 GW, India currently ranks seventh globally, but projections by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) indicate an expansion to 22.5 GW by 2040.
India is also investing in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are expected to provide safer and more flexible options for localized power generation. Collaborations with France (Jaitapur project), Russia (Kudankulam), and the United States (Westinghouse) are advancing both technology access and safety frameworks. In parallel, research on thorium-based reactors continues as part of the country’s long-term strategy for fuel diversification.
The road to 2047 is steep. Renewable energy’s variability demands massive investment in storage technologies like lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. The government’s National Energy Storage Mission seeks to develop 400 GWh of battery storage by 2030, yet costs remain high. Grid modernization is another concern. Integrating millions of decentralized solar rooftops with a national grid requires smart metering, AI-driven load management, and robust cybersecurity. Financing too is a hurdle — clean energy projects require $20–25 billion annually, far exceeding current investments. Moreover, India must secure access to critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, currently dominated by China.
Despite challenges, India’s renewable progress stands out globally. While China dominates manufacturing, India is positioning itself as the innovation and deployment hub of the developing world. The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), announced at the 2023 G20 Summit, could soon become a corridor for clean energy trade — hydrogen, solar technology, and green finance. India’s Global South diplomacy is also reshaping climate cooperation. Through ISA, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and South–South energy partnerships, India is offering clean energy solutions to Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific ,turning itself from an energy importer to an exporter of sustainability. By 2047, experts predict that India’s per capita electricity consumption will rise from 1,200 kWh today to over 3,000 kWh . Yet, if the current trajectory continues, most of this will be powered by renewables.
India’s pursuit of renewable energy transformation represents one of the most complex transitions underway in the Global South. The 2047 goal of energy independence is not only a technological challenge but also a policy and institutional test. Whether India can become a leading force in the global renewable revolution will depend on sustained investments, technological self-reliance, and equitable implementation at the local level. The coming decades will determine whether India’s energy policies can align economic growth with environmental sustainability ,a balance that remains central to the global energy future.

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