India Charts Multi-Pronged Clean Energy Strategy to Emerge as Global Leader: Dr Jitendra Singh

Dr Singh described the mission as a transformative initiative that has placed India among global frontrunners in alternative fuel ecosystems.

India is steadily emerging as a major force in the global clean energy transition, driven by a strategic blend of policy support, indigenous technological innovation, and growing industry participation, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said at a high-level international summit in the capital.

Addressing the World Hydrogen Energy Summit alongside the World Petrocoal Congress at the NDMC Convention Centre, the Minister outlined India’s ambitious roadmap to balance energy security with sustainability, positioning the country as a key player in the evolving global energy landscape.

A Multi-Dimensional Energy Transition Strategy

Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted that India is simultaneously advancing across multiple clean energy fronts, including green hydrogen, nuclear energy expansion, and renewable energy deployment, while building domestic capabilities in critical technologies such as electrolyzers.

He emphasized that India’s approach is not limited to policy declarations but is anchored in innovation-led growth and public-private partnerships, aimed at creating a resilient and self-reliant clean energy ecosystem.

“India is pursuing a calibrated and integrated strategy that aligns economic growth with environmental sustainability,” he noted, underlining the importance of scaling technologies through industry collaboration.

Massive Investments and Expanding Energy Infrastructure

Outlining the broader energy roadmap, the Minister revealed that India is targeting nearly USD 100 billion in oil and gas investments, alongside plans to expand exploration areas to 1 million square kilometres. The country is also working to increase the share of natural gas to 15 percent in its energy mix, while continuing to expand refining capacity—cementing its position among leading global refining hubs.

These efforts, he said, reflect India’s pragmatic approach of maintaining energy stability while transitioning toward cleaner alternatives.

Green Hydrogen at the Core of Decarbonisation

A central pillar of India’s clean energy transition is the National Green Hydrogen Mission, backed by an outlay of ₹19,744 crore. Dr Singh described the mission as a transformative initiative that has placed India among global frontrunners in alternative fuel ecosystems.

Green hydrogen, he noted, will play a critical role in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, and heavy industry. The government is actively working to reduce production costs through domestic manufacturing, innovation, and scale efficiencies, making green hydrogen commercially viable.

Nuclear Energy: A Strategic Growth Engine

The Minister also highlighted significant progress in India’s nuclear energy programme, stating that the recently launched Nuclear Energy Mission aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

He noted that India has entered a new phase marked by indigenous technological advancements, positioning it among a select group of nations with advanced nuclear capabilities.

A key focus area is the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Small Reactors, which offer flexible, scalable, and decentralised energy solutions.

India plans to develop five such reactors by 2033, with work already underway on three:

• Bharat Small Modular Reactor (SMR)

• Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) based on heavy water technology

• A hydrogen-linked small-scale reactor designed to support emerging energy applications

These innovations are expected to play a vital role in supporting distributed clean energy systems and hydrogen production ecosystems.

Opening Up Nuclear Sector to Private Participation

In a major policy shift, Dr Jitendra Singh noted that recent reforms have opened the nuclear energy sector to private players, including startups and MSMEs. Rationalisation of liability provisions and regulatory easing are expected to attract wider industry participation and accelerate infrastructure development.

This move marks a significant step toward democratising high-end energy technologies and fostering innovation across the ecosystem.

Clean Energy Transition Driving Jobs and Innovation

The Minister also pointed to the growing green jobs ecosystem, with sectors such as electric mobility, battery recycling, renewable manufacturing, and grid management generating new employment opportunities.

He highlighted India’s push toward a circular economy, including initiatives to convert used cooking oil and agricultural residue into biofuels, as well as emerging frontiers like ocean energy under the Deep Ocean Mission.

India’s Global Role in Decarbonisation

Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by emphasizing that India’s demographic advantage, technological capabilities, and forward-looking policy framework uniquely position it to play a leading role in global decarbonisation efforts.

As the world navigates complex energy transitions, India’s integrated approach—balancing traditional energy needs with aggressive clean energy expansion—offers a scalable and sustainable model for other developing economies.

With strategic investments, policy reforms, and innovation at its core, India is not just adapting to the global energy transition—it is shaping it.