Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav Highlights Solar Energy as a Tool of Transformation and Social Revolution
Belém, Brazil | India urged the international community to intensify collective action on energy security for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the High-Level Ministerial Leadership Session of the ISA SIDS Platform, held on the sidelines of UNFCCC CoP30 in Belém. Speaking at the session themed “Uniting Islands, Inspiring Action – Leadership for Energy Security,” Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting SIDS through scalable, affordable and resilient solar energy models.
The session brought together ministers from SIDS, member countries of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and global partner organisations to address shared challenges such as dependence on imported fossil fuels, climate vulnerabilities, and fragile energy infrastructure. The ISA SIDS Platform aims to create a robust digital and financial framework enabling faster solar deployment through standardised procurement, blended finance, capacity building and improved access to technologies.
India Showcases Rapid Clean Energy Progress
Highlighting India’s strides in renewable energy, Yadav informed that the country has surpassed 500 GW of installed electricity capacity, with more than half coming from clean energy sources. “India has achieved 50% non-fossil energy capacity—five years ahead of its NDC target,” he said.
He noted that India is now the 4th largest renewable energy producer globally and ranks 3rd in solar power, crediting the achievements to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on “Scale, Speed and the power of ordinary people”.
The Minister shared success stories from the PM Surya Ghar Rooftop Solar Programme, including that of a schoolteacher whose monthly anxiety over electricity bills has transformed into an opportunity for income generation. “Over 20 lakh households have adopted rooftop solar in India—each roof becoming a mini power plant,” he said.
Solar Power Transforming Agriculture and Rural Lives
Describing solar energy as a “new dawn for farmers,” the Minister highlighted how solar pumps and solarised feeders are providing clean, daytime energy for agriculture—eliminating diesel use, reducing operational stress and improving quality of life.
He also mentioned initiatives lighting up remote tribal and forested regions under PM JANMAN, and India’s strong push into storage systems. India is developing some of the world’s largest integrated solar-battery projects, including a landmark installation in Ladakh designed to supply clean energy sufficient to power an entire city.
India Reaffirms Commitment to ISA as a Global Solar Family
Reasserting India’s leadership in the ISA, Yadav said, “More than 124 nations are now part of the International Solar Alliance. Think of ISA as a global solar family—from the Pacific islands to Africa and South America.”
He added that the alliance is accelerating project development, enabling finance mobilisation, generating local jobs and establishing solar energy as the preferred pathway for clean, reliable electricity worldwide.
Calling for unified global action, the Minister concluded, “Solar energy is more than technology. It is hope, empowerment, independence, dignity and peace.”
SIDS Welcome India’s Support
Representatives of small island nations applauded India’s rapid expansion in solar energy and welcomed the SIDS platform as a catalyst for unlocking renewable energy potential in vulnerable economies. They emphasised that climate-resilient systems are not only environmental priorities but also essential for social and economic stability. The platform is expected to strengthen resilience through feasibility assessments, domestic workforce skilling and de-risking climate finance.
