Minister Joshi said the world took almost seven decades to reach the first terawatt of renewable capacity, but the second terawatt was added in just two years by 2024. India, he noted, has been a major contributor to this rapid acceleration. Over the past eleven years, India’s solar capacity has grown from a modest 2.8 GW to nearly 130 GW an extraordinary rise of more than 4,500 percent.
Between 2022 and 2024 alone, India added 46 GW of solar capacity, becoming the world’s third-largest contributor. This growth has been fuelled by large-scale solar parks, rooftop adoption, a competitive market ecosystem, and supportive national policies.
Balancing Coal and Green Energy
Despite having the world’s fifth-largest coal reserves and remaining the second-largest consumer, India continues to shift steadily toward cleaner energy sources. Minister Joshi emphasised that the nation’s energy transition is now shaped by global competitiveness and domestic sustainability priorities. India’s strategy seeks to maintain a careful balance between energy security, industrial demand, and environmental responsibility.
Odisha’s Big Leap: 1.5 Lakh Rooftop Solar Units
One of the biggest highlights of the Minister’s address was the announcement of a 1.5 lakh rooftop solar initiative under PM Surya Ghar in Odisha. Implemented through the consumer-led ULA model, each installation will have a capacity of 1 kW and prioritise low-income households.
The initiative is expected to benefit nearly 7–8 lakh citizens by lowering electricity bills, promoting self-reliance, and accelerating the State’s green energy shift. The Minister noted that Odisha has already demonstrated strong commitment to renewable energy, with over 3.1 GW installed so far accounting for more than 34 percent of its total power capacity.
Under PM Surya Ghar Yojana, the State has received 1.6 lakh rooftop solar applications. More than 23,000 installations have been completed, and over 19,200 beneficiaries have received subsidies totaling ₹147 crore directly into their bank accounts.
“Coming Years Will Belong to Odisha,” Says Joshi
Lauding Odisha’s leadership in green energy adoption, the Minister praised Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo. He highlighted the State’s growing infrastructure, investor-friendly environment and people-driven energy initiatives, expressing confidence that Odisha will soon emerge as one of India’s leading renewable energy hubs.
About GELS 2025
The Global Energy Leaders’ Summit (GELS) 2025 marks the beginning of a long-term collaborative platform aimed at accelerating India’s clean energy transition. Held from 5–7 December in Puri, the summit features Union and State Energy Ministers, global CEOs, innovators, think tanks and industry leaders. The event focuses on technology-driven energy transformation, policy innovation and the future of sustainable energy systems.