On June 9, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will complete 11 years in office — a milestone that not only marks political continuity but also signifies a decade of deep-rooted reforms across key sectors. Among these, India’s energy sector stands out as one of the most dynamically transformed areas, reflecting a bold shift toward sustainability, innovation, and self-reliance.
When Modi first took oath in 2014, the energy landscape of India was vastly different. Import dependency was high, renewable energy was still a developing conversation, and technologies like green hydrogen were not yet in the mainstream narrative. Fast forward to today, and India is well on its way to becoming a global player in clean energy transition — thanks to ambitious policies, record investments, and structural reforms led from the front by the Prime Minister.
A Vision for Energy Independence and Sustainability
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, summed up the journey when he recently said:
“Alternative sources of energy are playing an important role in India’s quest towards green energy transition as we provide momentum to efforts to achieve energy security under the guidance and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
This vision has been about more than just adding megawatts of renewable energy to the grid — it’s been about reshaping the fundamentals of India’s energy economy. From decarbonising the fuel mix to encouraging innovation in energy storage, and from launching pioneering missions to rethinking public sector roles, the energy transition under Modi has evolved into a national movement.
Green Hydrogen: India’s Bet on the Future
At the heart of this transformation is the National Green Hydrogen Mission — India’s bold initiative to become a hub for green hydrogen production, application, and export.
The government has taken a comprehensive approach to build this ecosystem from scratch. The four major verticals — production, transportation, storage, and application — are being simultaneously developed with stakeholder engagement at every level.
Nine R&D and pilot demonstration plants are in progress across India. Of these, four have already been commissioned by major PSUs like Indian Oil Corporation, GAIL, HPCL, and BPCL. These early-stage projects are not only showcasing India’s technological readiness but are also laying the groundwork for future commercial-scale deployment of green hydrogen.
Massive Public Sector Push and Financial Commitment
The energy transition is not just a policy idea — it’s being backed by real investment. Public sector refineries alone have floated green hydrogen tenders worth 42 KTPA (kilo tonnes per annum). An additional 128 tenders are lined up, contingent upon the performance and outcomes of the initial ones.
What’s even more striking is the scale of funding involved — a projected investment of ₹2 lakh crore (approx. $24 billion) is being mobilised to fuel this new green industrial wave. This is not only expected to drive innovation but also generate thousands of green jobs, stimulate new-age startups, and attract global attention to India’s green capabilities.
A Broader Clean Energy Vision
While green hydrogen is a flagship mission, the energy reforms under Modi’s government go far beyond it.
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Renewable energy capacity has seen exponential growth, with solar and wind installations putting India among the top global producers.
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Schemes like PM-KUSUM, which promotes solar power in agriculture, have empowered rural India while reducing fossil fuel use.
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The bio-energy ecosystem has expanded with incentives for compressed biogas and ethanol blending, creating new business opportunities.
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The expansion of city gas distribution, LNG terminal infrastructure, and natural gas pipelines is creating a cleaner fuel economy.
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Electrification of remote villages and the reduction in power transmission losses have brought reliable energy to the last mile.
From rural households to startup boardrooms, the shift towards clean and inclusive energy access has created ripples across every stakeholder group.
Startups, Innovation & the Green Economy
For India’s startup ecosystem, this energy transition has opened up massive innovation potential. Whether it’s green hydrogen storage, EV battery tech, solar module manufacturing, or smart grid analytics — the energy sector is no longer dominated only by legacy players.
Clean tech startups, deep-tech energy innovators, and sustainability-led platforms are now finding fertile ground to experiment, grow, and scale. The government’s policy support and funding ecosystem — from production-linked incentives (PLIs) to R&D grants — is directly influencing this startup surge in energy innovation.
Looking Ahead: A Green Roadmap for India’s Future
As PM Modi steps into his 12th year in office, the conversation is no longer about whether energy reforms will work — it’s about how fast India can scale them. The foundations have been laid, pilot projects are live, and investor confidence is robust.
Yet, challenges remain. Balancing energy demand with environmental goals, making clean technologies affordable, and ensuring inclusive participation in the energy economy will require continuous effort.
But one thing is clear — the narrative of India’s energy story has changed. From being a passive consumer, India is now scripting its role as a global energy innovator.
And at the core of this transformation is a decade-long political will, policy innovation, and a commitment to making India self-reliant, green, and future-ready.
