Pres Murmu Calls for Female-led Green Growth in India

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 29 October 2025

• India intends to become a global center for solar innovation and solar manufacturing by 2050
• President Droupadi Murmu made this announcement at the 8th International Solar Alliance (ISA) summit in New Delhi
• She stated that rural development and climate action should happen together

President Droupadi Murmu stated on Tuesday that India's commitment to its clean energy goals is part of a wider strategy to emerge as a global center for solar energy innovation, manufacturing, and knowledge sharing by 2050.

In her speech at the 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi, she spoke about effective climate action being working to address rural development, based on sustainable development.

She remarked in reply to PTI that India has made remarkable strides in renewable energy, including being fourth in the world for total renewable capacity, fourth for wind power, and third for solar energy generation.

India has surpassed 120 gigawatts of total installed solar capacity as part of the national goal of achieving 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

The President also mentioned the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme, which enhances energy security for farmers while contributing to India’s goal of increasing non-fossil fuel power capacity to 40 percent by 2030.

Murmu encouraged greater participation of women in the renewable energy sector and commended the ISA’s “Solar for She” initiative, describing it as a positive step toward empowering women through policy, financing, and skill development.

She said that women’s leadership in the solar sector can help not only reduce carbon emissions but also promote gender equality and community transformation.

She asked for a unified plan of action connecting solar energy and employment, women’s empowerment, livelihoods in rural areas, and digital access.

The President urged ISA members to think about the social impact of solar, stating that we should not count progress solely in megawatts, but in lives affected and communities improved.

Murmu concluded her remarks with the statement that large-scale solarisation could democratize and entrench access to energy and allow people to actively contribute toward a clean and more equitable future.