The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry said the country has moved towards surplus power generation, enhanced grid integration and leadership in renewable energy, driven by a clear vision and consistent efforts.
Highlighting India’s achievements in coal production, renewable energy, refining and natural gas connectivity, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Vedprakash Goyal said the country’s energy sector is now guided by a strong spirit of self‑reliance.
Addressing a media briefing on the death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in New Delhi on Monday, Goyal said, “The country recorded its highest‑ever coal production of 1,048 million tonnes in FY2024‑25, while coal imports declined by around 8 per cent. India’s solar power capacity has increased 46 times in the last 11 years, making the country the third‑largest globally, while wind power capacity has grown from 21 GW in 2014 to 53 GW in 2025.”
“India has emerged as the fourth‑largest refining hub in the world and is working to increase its refining capacity by 20 per cent. A total of 34,238 km of natural gas pipeline has been authorised, of which 25,923 km is operational,” he added.
He also referred to the SHANTI Bill, which seeks to open up the nuclear energy sector to greater private‑sector participation.
Goyal said the country has moved towards surplus power generation, enhanced grid integration and leadership in renewable energy. He stressed that this transformation was not accidental, but driven by a clear vision and consistent efforts.
“India has transitioned from power scarcity to power security, and now towards power sustainability,” he observed.
According to the minister, this shift rests on five key pillars: universal access, affordability, availability, financial viability, and sustainability with global responsibility. He pointed out that electricity has been provided to every household under the Saubhagya scheme, and that 47.4 crore LED bulbs have been distributed under the UJALA programme, resulting in savings on electricity bills and a reduction in carbon emissions.
He noted that GST on solar, wind and other clean energy equipment has been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. He added that the ethanol blending target of 20 per cent was achieved ahead of schedule, having originally been set for 2030. Inter‑state transmission charges have also been waived for the sale of solar and wind power, he said.
“Power shortages have declined from 4.2 per cent in 2013 to 0.1 per cent in 2025. The creation of a unified national grid has enabled India to meet a record peak power demand of 250 GW,” Goyal stated.
He said that as India approaches 100 years of Independence in 2047, the country’s energy strategy is being recalibrated to address future challenges. He cited the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which targets production of 5 MMT per year by 2030 and aims to reduce fossil fuel imports by over ₹1 trillion. He also mentioned the PM Surya Ghar scheme, under which rooftop solar installations are being undertaken in around two million households.
Goyal added that several recommendations of the high‑powered committee on coal are under consideration, including expediting coal exploration and mining and accelerating coal gasification.