India's Union Power Minister, R K Singh, outlined the country's strategic plans at the recently concluded COP28 summit, emphasizing a significant shift in the nation's energy landscape. Singh highlighted that despite an additional 80 GW of thermal capacity set to be added by 2030, the proportion of coal-based power in the installed capacity will reduce substantially to 23% from its 2014 figure of 68%.

Singh underscored that the nation's transition aligns with its unique circumstances, with India having one of the lowest per capita energy consumption rates globally. He emphasized the priority on emissions reduction while pointing out that developed nations are major contributors to global carbon emissions and are evasive in addressing this issue.

The government aims to triple its renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030, which will result in one of the most significant reductions in coal-based power capacity as a percentage.

In its pursuit of renewable energy expansion and the move away from fossil fuels, the government intends to launch a tender for the procurement of 4,000 MW of gas-based electricity. Additionally, plans are underway to increase hydroelectric power generation, with 18 GW of hydro capacity under construction and a target of an additional 24,000 MW of hydro power, ultimately achieving 42,000 MW of hydro capacity by 2030.

Singh acknowledged that while India's transmission network is robust, the pace of renewable energy capacity expansion surpasses the development of transmission lines.

The final deal at COP28 emphasized a transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just and orderly manner, aligning with the goals of accelerating action in the critical decade, as advocated by more than 100 nations, albeit not explicitly calling for a complete phase-out of fossil fuels.