Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated the “Chintan Shivir” in Bhubaneswar, Odisha today, marking the beginning of a crucial two-day event organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The gathering brought together key government leaders, industry experts, and stakeholders with the goal of formulating strategies to meet India’s ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

In his inaugural address, Joshi highlighted the significance of the 500 GW target, framing it not just as a goal, but as a call to action for the renewable energy sector. Reflecting on India’s progress, the Minister pointed out that the country has already achieved 212 GW from non-fossil fuel sources, positioning it well to exceed the 2030 target. “The 500 GW target is an achievable milestone, but it requires a collective effort from all stakeholders to overcome challenges and fast-track our progress,” said Joshi.

During his speech, the Minister also discussed the challenges raised by various stakeholders, including land acquisition, transmission infrastructure, power purchase agreements, and energy storage. He stressed the importance of finding comprehensive solutions to these issues during the workshop. “The Chintan Shivir should arrive at a comprehensive solution to all these issues and create a roadmap with the collective experience and wisdom of everyone present,” Joshi added.

Joshi also noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has earned global trust for its stability and potential, positioning the country as a leader in renewable energy. He pointed to key government initiatives such as PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM Kusum which are contributing not only to India’s renewable energy ambitions but also to job creation. The Minister proposed the formation of a task force, in collaboration with the Ministry of Power, to coordinate efforts among stakeholders and ensure the 500 GW target is met.

The event also highlighted India’s commitments from the RE-Invest Summit, where more than ₹32 lakh crore worth of renewable energy projects, totaling 540 GW, were pledged. Joshi expressed optimism that these commitments would be realized through enhanced cooperation between the government, industry, and financial institutions.

Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power, also addressed the event, underscoring the role of the renewable energy sector in India’s goal of energy independence by 2047. He assured that the government would continue to support technological advancements and innovations in clean energy.

Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, spoke about the state’s immense potential in solar, wind, battery storage, and pumped storage projects. He reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to working closely with the central government to meet India’s renewable energy targets.

Pankaj Agrawal, Power Secretary, discussed the challenges facing the sector, particularly in transmission and energy storage. He encouraged participants to focus on practical solutions to address these issues during the workshop.

Prashant Kumar Singh, Secretary, MNRE, emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to understanding and addressing the challenges of the renewable energy sector. He noted that organizing the Chintan Shivir was one of his top priorities, alongside the RE-Invest initiative, to develop clear, actionable policies.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Sudeep Jain, Additional Secretary, MNRE, who expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders for their contributions.

The Chintan Shivir provided a platform for industry leaders, CEOs, financial institutions, and government officialsto collaborate on tackling the emerging challenges and opportunities in renewable energy. The workshop marked a crucial step in India’s efforts to transform its renewable energy sector and achieve long-term energy sustainability goals.