India has emphasized the importance of energy security as a pressing current challenge, highlighting the need for strengthened cooperation among BRICS nations to ensure economic stability and sustainability. At the recent BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in BrasÃlia, Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, reiterated India’s commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive energy future. He praised Brazil’s leadership in promoting global south cooperation for more inclusive and sustainable governance.
Minister Manohar Lal underscored the critical role of energy security, access, and affordability in advancing global development goals. He showcased India’s rapid progress in clean energy, including a 90% increase in electricity capacity over the past decade, with a target of reaching 900 GW by 2032. India has also become the world’s third-largest producer of solar and wind energy. The country is on track to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and has set ambitious goals for green hydrogen and nuclear energy, including a 100 GW nuclear capacity target by 2047.
India is investing heavily in smart grids, advanced metering infrastructure, and an expanded transmission network, including the Green Energy Corridor. The minister emphasized the importance of energy efficiency through innovative programs such as the Energy Conservation Sustainable Buildings Code, rooftop solar initiatives, and efficient appliance standards. He also highlighted the vital role of fossil fuels in the global energy mix, especially for developing countries, and urged greater cooperation to promote their cleaner and efficient use through technologies such as coal gasification, carbon capture and storage, and green chemical innovations.
Furthermore, Minister Manohar Lal emphasized the role of the Global Biofuels Alliance in advancing cooperation in the biofuels sector and underscored India’s commitment to energy efficiency. He extended an invitation to the BRICS nations to participate in the next BRICS energy gathering, scheduled for 2026 in India, reaffirming the country’s commitment to leading the energy agenda for the Global South. Overall, India’s message at the BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting was clear: energy security and cooperation are essential for achieving global development goals and ensuring a sustainable and inclusive energy future.