Renewable Energy India Expo 2027
India is the world's fastest-growing major renewable energy market — the third largest overall after China and the USA — and REI Expo 2027 reflects its ambition: 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, a National Green Hydrogen Mission targeting 5 MMT/year by 2030, and PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar scheme aiming to solar-power 10 million households. REI is where India's clean energy supply chain — manufacturers, project developers, EPCs, and financiers — meets international technology providers and investors.
For the global ministerial framework coordinating India's clean energy efforts, see our Clean Energy Ministerial 2027. For critical minerals supply chains essential to India's solar and battery buildout, see our critical minerals 2026. For India's current fuel pricing context, see our India fuel prices 2026.
India's renewable energy scale-up
| Technology | Installed capacity (2026 approx.) | 2030 target | Key challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar PV (utility-scale) | ~70 GW | ~300+ GW | Land, grid evacuation, DISCOM finances |
| Solar PV (rooftop) | ~15 GW | ~40 GW (PM Surya Ghar) | Net metering policy; financing |
| Wind (onshore) | ~47 GW | ~100 GW | New sites limited; repowering needed |
| Wind (offshore) | ~0 GW (pilot projects) | ~30 GW (by 2030) | Infrastructure; policy framework developing |
| Large hydro | ~47 GW | ~62 GW | Environmental clearances; Northeast projects |
| Energy storage | ~5 GW (pumped hydro + BESS) | ~60 GW by 2030 | BESS procurement; grid integration |
Solar PV manufacturing — India's PLI push
India has aggressively built domestic solar manufacturing capacity to reduce import dependence on China (which previously supplied ~85% of India's solar modules):
- PLI for solar modules: Production-Linked Incentive scheme for high-efficiency solar modules — ~10 GW/year domestic manufacturing target; Adani Solar, Waaree Energies, Premier Energies, and Vikram Solar have announced major capacity expansions
- Basic Customs Duty (BCD): 40% BCD on imported solar modules and 25% on cells (from 2022) — protecting domestic manufacturing but increasing project costs by 5–8%
- Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM): Only modules on the ALMM list can be used in government-backed projects — excluding most Chinese manufacturers
- Cell and wafer gaps: India's solar supply chain has module assembly capacity but limited wafer and cell manufacturing; full vertical integration (polysilicon → wafer → cell → module) is the medium-term goal
India's National Green Hydrogen Mission
India's green hydrogen policy is among the world's most ambitious:
- Production target: 5 MMT/year green hydrogen by 2030 (India currently produces ~6 MMT/year grey hydrogen from natural gas in fertilizers and refining)
- Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT): Incentives for electrolyser manufacturing (~60 GW cumulative capacity by 2030) and green hydrogen production (~4.5 lakh tonnes in early tranches)
- Cost target: ₹150/kg (~$1.80/kg) by 2030 — approaching cost parity with grey hydrogen in high-cost gas scenarios
- Export ambition: India aims to become a major green hydrogen exporter — particularly to the EU via ammonia and to Japan/South Korea; Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh coastal hubs are planned
- Applications: Fertilizer (urea) green hydrogen substitution; steel (DRI route); refining; heavy transport (hydrogen trucks)
India presents a unique paradox: simultaneously the world's fastest-growing renewable energy market AND continuing to add coal power capacity. In 2026, coal provides ~70% of India's electricity; coal capacity additions continue as India's peak demand has been growing ~5–8%/year driven by cooling demand, industrial growth, and rising living standards. India's position is that coal is necessary for energy security and affordable electricity while renewables scale — and that Western countries have no standing to demand India forgo coal when they industrialised on it. REI Expo 2027 reflects both sides: India's massive clean energy ambition and the pragmatic reality of a country needing every MW it can build. For India's fuel subsidy policies supporting affordable energy access alongside this, see our India fuel prices 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Renewable Energy India Expo?
- REI Expo is Asia's largest renewable energy trade fair — 700+ exhibitors, ~40,000 visitors — at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida. Organised by Reed Exhibitions. Covers solar PV (utility + rooftop + floating), wind, storage, green hydrogen, and clean energy investment. India is the world's third-largest renewable energy market; REI is the primary deal-making and sourcing platform for its clean energy supply chain.
What is India's 500 GW clean energy target?
- India committed to 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 at COP26. Current installed renewable capacity: ~180–200 GW (solar ~85 GW, wind ~47 GW, hydro ~47 GW). Requires ~300+ GW additional by 2030 — ~50 GW/year new installations needed vs ~20 GW/year recent pace. Solar dominates additions. Challenges: grid infrastructure, land, module supply, DISCOM financial weakness.
What is India's green hydrogen policy?
- India's National Green Hydrogen Mission (Jan 2023) targets 5 MMT/year green hydrogen by 2030 with 125 GW dedicated renewables. PLI incentives for electrolyser manufacturing and H₂ production. Cost target: ₹150/kg (~$1.80/kg) by 2030. Applications: fertilizer (urea), steel (DRI), refining, heavy transport. Export ambition: supply EU (via ammonia) and Japan/South Korea from Gujarat/Andhra Pradesh coastal hubs.