India’s accelerated renewable energy push under Joshi gains global acclaim, with solar capacity topping 125 GW and local manufacturing on the horizon

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi has been named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most powerful climate leaders globally, highlighting international recognition of India’s accelerated clean energy transition.

Since taking charge of the ministry in 2024, Joshi has overseen a sharp rise in renewable energy deployment. India is now more than halfway towards its target of 500 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil fuel capacity five years ahead of schedule. By September 2025, the country had added 30 GW of renewable capacity, with projections to reach 43 GW by year-end, enough to power over 10 million homes.

Under his leadership, India has also initiated plans for local solar cell manufacturing by 2028 and launched a training programme to equip young people with skills in green energy production. The nation’s total solar capacity has crossed 125 GW, making it the world’s third-largest producer after China and the United States.

“India has shown what is possible and together we must ensure that clean energy reaches everyone, everywhere. This is not merely a possible future; it is the only path forward,” Joshi said in October in Delhi.

A five-time Member of Parliament from Dharwad, Joshi previously handled the portfolios of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal, and Mines between 2019 and 2024. A long-time member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, he continues to play a central role in shaping India’s renewable energy vision.