India has role in Asian energy transition
India’s fast pace solar energy development programme was lauded at the Climate Group Asia Action Summit, followed by a global call that renewables must be scaled, replacing the entire fossil fuels from energy ecosystem.
“India has a leadership role in the energy transition in Asia. It’s making steady progress on its climate goals, with a focus on rolling out solar roll-out. This is encouraging,” said Climate Group CEO Helen Clarkson on the sidelines of a summit on climate held in Singapore on May 8, 2025.
“India’s progress in renewables is interesting with progress seen in the last few years,” said Clarkson, who led the Climate Group Asia Action Summit in Singapore to define pathways to innovate, invest in clean technologies, boost trade, and create sustainable prosperity for communities.
India’s total installed renewable energy (RE) capacity has reached 220 GW as of FY2025, she said, citing the latest data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Solar energy leads the sector, accounting for approximately 48% of the total RE capacity followed by wind energy (23%), Large Hydro (22%), Bio Power (5%) and Small Hydro (2%), according to MNRE’s April 2025 report.
“Asia can tackle two deeply linked crises in one go – economic and climate – if its businesses and governments push ahead with clean tech, innovation, energy security based on renewables, and decarbonised supply chains. Asia is where the transition will be won or lost,” Press Trust of India quoted Clarkson as saying.
The Climate Group Asia Action Summit tackles critical issues and trends, diving deep into ongoing shifts. Business leaders and policy makers from Asia are meeting to discuss how to stay competitive in a fast-changing world, how to reduce costs and swiftly unlock barriers, and where to spot opportunities.
Clarkson elaborated, “Trade is the engine of the global economy – if that goes, it sends tremors through the foundations of supply chains, competitiveness, energy security, and procurement strategies.”
The economic and the climate crisis are deeply linked. As other parts of the world are stepping back, Asia is where the transition will be won or lost. “We need bold leadership, innovative solutions, strategic clean investment, and the buy-in and long-term thinking of governments. Asia truly has an incredible opportunity to build out its lead,” said Clarkson.
“And, we need to scale up such renewables programmes globally,” she underlined.
“The companies we work with – across our initiates, such as RE100 and EV100 – all set long-term strategic direction and plans, and are committed to the transition with clear timelines,” she underscored.
The Group led both RE100 and EV100 are global initiatives bringing together the world’s most influential businesses committed to using 100% renewable electricity in their operations and switching fleet to Electric Vehicles.
Conversations at the Climate Group Asia Action Summit have shown that forward-thinking executives and policymakers from across the region understand the opportunity in the transition. To them, it makes clear business sense.
The Singapore Summit brought together business leaders and policy makers from across Asia. Fiinews.com
