India sets sights on becoming global solar hub by 2050: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday reaffirmed India’s long-term commitment to clean energy transformation, declaring that by 2050, the country aims not only to achieve its renewable energy targets but also to evolve into a global hub for solar innovation, manufacturing, and knowledge exchange.

Addressing the 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly in New Delhi, President Murmu said India’s renewable energy achievements reflect a strong policy framework, visionary leadership, and a national determination to align economic growth with environmental responsibility. “It is a matter of pride that the country's installed solar capacity has crossed 120 Gigawatts,” she noted, calling it a crucial step toward India’s long-term goal of achieving 500 Gigawatts of non-fossil capacity by 2030.

Murmu emphasized that India’s clean energy transformation goes hand in hand with the country’s socio-economic development agenda. “Synergy between climate action and rural prosperity is essential for sustainable development,” she said, underlining how renewable energy is being integrated into national strategies to boost rural livelihoods, reduce inequality, and drive inclusive growth.

Highlighting India’s impressive global standing, Murmu pointed out that the nation currently ranks fourth in renewable energy installed capacity, fourth in wind power, and third in solar power generation worldwide. This growth, she said, underscores India’s leadership role in shaping the global renewable energy landscape.

Linking Energy Security with Rural Development

The President drew attention to flagship government programs such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), which ensures energy security for farmers by promoting decentralized solar energy production. “This initiative not only strengthens India’s commitment to sustainability but also empowers rural communities and reduces their dependence on costly fossil fuels,” she said.

Murmu stressed that such programs are examples of how clean energy can be a powerful tool for social transformation. By extending solar access to rural areas, India is creating opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs, agricultural productivity, and rural employment, while advancing its commitment to ensuring that 40 per cent of installed electric power capacity comes from non-fossil sources by 2030.

India’s Leadership in the Global Solar Movement

The President lauded the International Solar Alliance (ISA), calling it a pivotal platform for global collaboration in addressing the challenges of energy access and climate change. Launched in 2015, with its founding conference held in 2018 in New Delhi, the ISA now serves as a coalition of nations working together to accelerate the adoption of solar energy worldwide.

“The ISA represents a significant step towards addressing this global challenge by encouraging the use of solar power,” Murmu said. “By 2050, India aims not only to meet its clean energy targets but also to become a hub that aggregates global solar demand and drives innovation, manufacturing, and knowledge exchange.”

She added that large-scale solarisation will democratise energy use, enabling citizens to become active participants in building a cleaner and more equitable planet. “Solar energy has the power to transform not only economies but also societies. It gives people energy independence and the opportunity to shape their own future,” she observed.

Empowering Women Through Solar Energy

A key theme in President Murmu’s address was the importance of gender inclusion in the global energy transition. She praised the ISA’s “Solar for She” initiative, which seeks to empower women through targeted interventions in policy, financing, and skill development.

“Their leadership ensures that solar energy not only reduces carbon footprints but also breaks gender barriers,” she said. “I am confident that energy access in the hands of women will transform the lives of communities.”

Murmu said that women’s participation in the renewable energy sector is essential for ensuring that growth is not only sustainable but also inclusive. She urged stakeholders to ensure that women are given leadership roles in the transition to clean energy, particularly in rural areas where their involvement can have transformative effects on families and communities.

Beyond Infrastructure: A Human-Centric Energy Vision

In a powerful message to ISA member countries, the President called for a shift from a purely infrastructure-focused approach to a people-centric energy model. She urged nations to design policies and partnerships that link solar energy with job creation, women’s leadership, rural livelihoods, and digital inclusion.

“Our progress should not only be measured through megawatts but through the number of lives illuminated, the number of families strengthened, and the number of communities transformed,” she said, stressing the need for a holistic vision that connects technological advancement with human well-being.

Murmu also called on the ISA to foster greater collaboration among its members in technology transfer, green finance, and capacity building, ensuring that the benefits of solar power reach developing and least-developed countries.

A Vision for 2050

Concluding her address, President Murmu reiterated that India’s goal by 2050 is not limited to energy self-sufficiency but extends to global leadership in solar innovation. “India’s journey in renewable energy is not just about reducing emissions—it is about creating a model of sustainable growth that inspires the world,” she said.

She expressed confidence that the ISA, with its diverse membership and shared commitment, will continue to drive the global shift toward clean, affordable, and accessible solar energy for all. “Solarisation at a large scale will democratise energy use and build a cleaner, more equitable planet,” she said.