Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended Gujarat for its pivotal role in India’s energy shift, emphasizing its contributions to renewable energy production and its potential in sectors like green hydrogen and steel. Gujarat currently represents 20% of India’s renewable energy capacity, with 50 gigawatts out of the nation’s total 250 gigawatts. Modi highlighted the significant growth in India’s solar energy sector over the past decade, transforming the country into one of the top five solar energy producers globally.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of domestic energy production in light of recent global disruptions, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and energy market instability. He mentioned the fluctuations in petrol prices and disruptions in gas supply chains, leading India to focus on diversifying energy sources and investing heavily in renewable energy infrastructure. Modi outlined various initiatives undertaken in the last ten years, including expanding solar power, railway electrification, ethanol blending, nuclear energy development, and enhancing the transmission network and gas pipelines.
Modi also acknowledged Gujarat’s significant role in India’s renewable energy journey, citing the state’s early establishment of a Climate Change Department and hosting the country’s first major solar park in Patan district. Looking ahead, he highlighted Surat and the Hazira industrial region’s potential in industrial decarbonization, especially in the production of green steel using renewable energy sources. The Prime Minister praised Surat’s initiatives in wastewater recycling and electric mobility as examples of how urban areas can contribute to environmental goals while fostering economic growth.
