New Delhi: The government is considering incentives for floating solar projects to ensure renewable energy capacity is spread across the country instead of being concentrated in a few states, a senior official said on Monday.
Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2026, Santosh Sarangi, Secretary in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said India’s energy transition is focused on affordability, availability and sustainability, The Economic Times reported.
He said projections by NITI Aayog indicate that by 2050, the country will require around 1,800 GW of renewable energy capacity along with nearly 2,000 GWh of battery energy storage systems.
Sarangi noted that future policies will aim to promote renewable energy on a larger scale while ensuring flexibility in approach. He pointed out that most renewable energy installations are currently concentrated in states such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, and stressed the need to decentralise capacity across other regions.
He said the proposed incentive mechanism for floating solar projects would help expand grid-scale renewable energy deployment beyond these states.
The official also spoke about plans to introduce measures to boost domestic manufacturing of key solar components, including ingot wafers and polysilicon.
Highlighting challenges in the sector, Sarangi said renewable energy curtailment remains a major issue and needs urgent attention. He stressed that improving grid infrastructure and planning will help unlock the full potential of renewable energy assets.
He added that India will invest significantly in green energy corridors to strengthen transmission systems and support the growing share of renewable energy in the power mix.
Sarangi also said electricity costs must be reduced to keep India competitive globally, noting that lower prices will depend on better technology, improved efficiency and increased investment across the renewable sector.
Sumant Sinha, Founder and CEO of ReNew, said energy will play a key role in achieving the goal of a developed India and highlighted the country’s progress in energy transition.
Ashish Khanna, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, called for stronger global partnerships to build resilient supply chains, adding that India could play a major role in supply chain diversification.
