Renewable Energy Ministry Seeks Stronger Budget Backing for 2026 Clean Energy Push
MNRE eyes sustained funding for flagship schemes, manufacturing scale-up, and next-gen technologies to drive India’s green transition.
As India gears up for the Union Budget 2026, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is pushing for continued policy and financial support to accelerate clean energy adoption, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and invest in future-ready technologies. Speaking to NDTV Profit, Renewable Energy Secretary Santosh Sarangi outlined the ministry’s key expectations, emphasizing the need for unwavering backing of flagship programs that have transformed rural energy access.
Sarangi highlighted the success of schemes like PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which promote decentralised renewable energy, particularly in rural areas. PM-KUSUM has seen massive uptake in states such as Maharashtra (with tenders for 16 GW), Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, helping reduce agricultural power subsidy burdens. Meanwhile, the utility-led aggregation model under PM Surya Ghar enables households to install rooftop solar with zero upfront costs, with MNRE projecting 7–8 GW of distributed renewable capacity in rural India through this approach.
On the manufacturing front, the ministry is pressing for targeted Budget support to boost upstream solar components. India has already achieved 150 GW of solar module production capacity—making it the world’s second-largest producer after China—with cell capacity at 27 GW and on track to hit 60 GW by June 2026. Ingot and wafer capacity, currently at 2.2 GW, is expected to surge to 20 GW by 2027 based on industry commitments. Sarangi stressed the importance of extending incentives to polysilicon production and floating solar projects to build a more self-reliant and competitive ecosystem.
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Research and development (R&D) remains a top priority, with sustained funding deemed essential to develop low-cost, reliable, and globally competitive clean energy solutions. The ministry is also advancing initiatives in green hydrogen tracking and improved wind forecasting in collaboration with agencies like CEA and IMD to unlock the country’s massive 1,160 GW wind energy potential.
These expectations reflect India’s ambitious goal of deepening renewable penetration, reducing import dependence, and positioning itself as a leader in next-generation clean technologies ahead of the 2026 Budget.
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