India Surpasses 100 GW Solar Capacity; Modi's 2006 Speech Resurfaces
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Synopsis
On February 10, 2025, India crossed the remarkable milestone of achieving 100 GW of solar power capacity, as Prime Minister Modi's forward-thinking address from 2006 gains renewed attention, highlighting the importance of solar energy for the nation's future.
Key Takeaways
- India's solar power capacity has surpassed 100 GW.
- PM Modi's 2006 vision for solar energy gains recognition.
- The price of solar energy has significantly decreased over the years.
- Gujarat's investment in solar energy proves successful.
- Solar energy capacity has increased by 3450% since 2014.
New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) As India reaches a significant benchmark of exceeding 100 GW in solar power capacity, solidifying its status as a worldwide authority in renewable energy, a past address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from 2006 has gained popularity on social media. In this speech, he passionately advocates for utilizing solar energy to fulfill the nation's demands.
During his time as Gujarat's Chief Minister, Modi's strong endorsement of solar energy has resulted in a wave of admiration from netizens, with some declaring, “The 2006 Modi Speech That Proves He Was Thinking 20 Years Ahead.”
The video features then-CM Narendra Modi, sharing his visionary ideas for solar energy in India and globally.
Notably, he took a bold step to invest in solar energy while others hesitated, eventually disproving critics who warned about the ‘state going bankrupt’ if solar power was adopted.
Back then, solar energy was quite costly, priced at Rs 15 per unit, in stark contrast to Rs 2-3 per unit for traditional energy. Critics mocked CM Modi’s choice, cautioning that it could lead to financial ruin for the state. Some even tried to change his mind.
A prominent energy scientist advised him to reconsider, stating, “This high tariff will break Gujarat’s financial back.”
Modi countered their concerns with a compelling argument: “India’s solar potential cannot remain untapped. If countries with significantly less sunlight can succeed, why should we hold back? The current costs are high, but in the future, solar will be the most economical energy option. Gujarat will lead the way.”
A decade later, his foresight has been validated. The price of solar energy has plummeted from Rs 15 per unit to merely Rs 2-3 per unit.
The same scientist later admitted, “I was mistaken. Modi ji.. Your vision was far ahead of its time.”
Currently, India has made impressive strides in the solar energy realm. Over the past decade, the solar power sector has experienced a remarkable 3450 percent increase in capacity, soaring from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 100 GW in 2025.
As of January 31, 2025, India’s installed solar capacity stands at 100.33 GW, with 84.10 GW in progress and an additional 47.49 GW under tendering.
