Refining Capacity, Gas Pipeline Network and Nuclear Sector See Key Developments: Shri Goyal

Energy Sector Transformation Built on Universal Access, Affordability, Availability, Financial Viability and Sustainability: Shri Piyush Goyal

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, while addressing a briefing in New Delhi today, said that the last 11 years of India’s energy sector journey stand as proof that bold vision, honest intent and relentless execution can change the destiny of a nation.

On the death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Shri Goyal said that the nation remembers not only the Iron Man of India, but also a visionary who wanted the country to stand on its own feet politically, economically and strategically.

The Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the same spirit of self-reliance has been realised in India’s energy sector. He noted that the country recorded its highest-ever coal production of 1,048 million tonnes in FY 2024–25, while coal imports declined by around 8 per cent. He added that India’s solar power capacity has increased 46 times in the last 11 years, making the country the third-largest globally, while wind power capacity has grown from 21 GW in 2014 to 53 GW in 2025. Shri Goyal further stated that India has emerged as the fourth-largest refining hub in the world and is working to increase its refining capacity by 20 per cent. He informed that 34,238 km of natural gas pipeline has been authorised, of which 25,923 km is operational. He also mentioned the SHANTI Bill, which seeks to allow private players to participate in the nuclear energy sector.

Shri Goyal said that the country has moved towards surplus power generation, grid integration and leadership in renewable energy. He stated that this transformation was not accidental, but driven by a clear vision and consistent efforts. He added that India has transitioned from power scarcity to power security, and now towards power sustainability.

The Minister said that this transformation rests on five key pillars. Shri Goyal said that the first pillar of India’s energy sector transformation is universal access. He stated that electricity has been provided to every household under the Saubhagya scheme, and 36.87 crore LED bulbs have been distributed under the UJALA programme, resulting in savings on electricity bills and reduction in carbon emissions. He added that children are now able to study after sunset, lighting not just homes but also hopes. He further said that with clean cooking gas connections provided to 10 crore households, women are leading healthier lives, and that farmers have become energy providers under the PM-KUSUM scheme.

The Minister said that the second pillar is affordability. He noted that GST on solar, wind and other clean energy equipment was reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. He added that the ethanol blending target of 20 per cent was achieved ahead of schedule, which was originally set for 2030. He further stated that inter-State transmission charges have been waived for the sale of solar and wind power.

Shri Goyal said that the third pillar is availability. He noted that power shortages have declined from 4.2 per cent in 2013 to 0.03 per cent in 2025. He added that the creation of a unified national grid has enabled India to meet a record peak power demand of 250 GW.

The Minister said that the fourth pillar is financial viability. He stated that reforms under the PM-UDAY scheme have strengthened the power distribution sector, and that DISCOM dues were reduced from ₹1.4 lakh crore in 2022 to ₹6,500 crore in 2025.

Shri Goyal said that the fifth pillar is sustainability and global responsibility. He noted that India has become the first G20 country to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, and that 50 per cent of the country’s installed power capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources.

The Minister said that as India approaches 100 years of Independence in 2047, the strategy is being recalibrated to address future challenges. He mentioned the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which targets production of 5 MMT per year by 2030 and aims to reduce fossil fuel imports by over ₹1 lakh crore. He also referred to the PM Surya Ghar scheme, under which rooftop solar installations are being undertaken in around 20 lakh households. Quoting the Prime Minister, he said that to strengthen India’s energy sector, the Government is empowering the public. He added that several recommendations of the High-Powered Committee on coal are under consideration, including expediting coal exploration and mining and accelerating coal gasification.

Shri Goyal expressed confidence that as India marches towards Viksit Bharat 2047, the country’s energy sector will emerge as a global case study in managing scale, speed and sustainability together.