Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a stronger focus on nuclear power as India expands its clean-energy sector, saying development and environmental protection must move together.
Speaking at the National Green Tribunal’s international conference on environment and climate in New Delhi on Saturday, Modi said India’s clean-energy plans go beyond solar power. He highlighted the growth of wind and hydropower and said the country is now moving rapidly to expand nuclear energy.
India has set a target of taking its nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy Mission. The government is also working to widen participation in the sector and develop small modular reactors.
Modi also pointed to India’s rapid growth in solar power. He said solar capacity has risen from around 2 GW 12 years ago to more than 160 GW. Over 50 lakh homes have received rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, while around 30 lakh farmers have benefited from solar pumps under PM-KUSUM.
He also highlighted hydrogen, electric vehicles and other clean-energy efforts, stressing India’s approach of combining economic growth with environmental responsibility.
