Union Consumer Affairs and New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday, July 9, 2026, shared Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks underscoring India's drive to build a domestic manufacturing ecosystem spanning hydro projects, green hydrogen, solar modules and wind turbines, as PM Modi engaged with Australia on clean energy cooperation.

Context

Quoting PM Modi, Minister Joshi highlighted that India is targeting 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070. The post, tagged #PMModiInAustralia, came amid the Prime Minister's engagement with Australia, a country that has emerged as a key strategic partner for India on critical minerals and clean energy supply chains.

PM Modi's statement described the nation as 'building a strong manufacturing ecosystem for hydro projects, green hydrogen, solar modules and wind turbines,' framing the renewable push as central to India's journey toward a 'clean, self-reliant and sustainable energy future.'

Policy Backdrop

India's 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target and the 2070 net-zero commitment were first formally announced by PM Modi as part of the Panchamrit strategy at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in 2021. The five-point climate pledge set ambitious milestones for decarbonisation that have since shaped India's energy and industrial policy.

The domestic manufacturing drive is embedded within the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat framework, which seeks to localise production of solar modules, wind turbines, electrolysers and hydro equipment to reduce import dependence. This approach ties climate commitments directly to industrial self-reliance, making the renewable sector a pillar of economic strategy as much as an environmental one.

Green hydrogen has received particular emphasis in recent policy cycles, with the government aiming to position India as both a producer and exporter of the fuel. Domestic electrolyser manufacturing and port-based hydrogen export infrastructure are among the areas drawing policy attention.

Stakeholders and Impact

Renewable energy manufacturers — spanning solar module makers, wind turbine producers and green hydrogen developers — stand to benefit most directly from the policy environment being articulated. Localisation mandates and production-linked incentive schemes have already begun reshaping supply chains in the solar segment.

Australia's role as a critical minerals supplier gives the bilateral relationship added weight. India requires lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements for its clean energy transition, and Australia holds significant reserves of each. Agreements on these supply chains would complement the domestic manufacturing push described by PM Modi.

For consumers and the broader economy, the long-term implication is a gradual reduction in fossil fuel import bills as domestic renewable capacity scales up, alongside the creation of manufacturing employment in the clean energy sector.

What's Next

Attention will turn to concrete deliverables from PM Modi's Australia engagement, particularly any new agreements on critical minerals or green hydrogen trade. On the domestic front, progress reports on manufacturing capacity additions in solar, wind and electrolyser segments will be closely watched as the 2030 capacity deadline approaches.

With roughly four years remaining to the 500 GW milestone, the pace of both capacity addition and supply chain localisation will determine whether India's clean energy ambitions translate into measurable industrial and climate outcomes.