Context:

• The 16th session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) was held from 10–12 January 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Key Highlights:

• Theme: “Energizing Humanity: Renewables for Shared Prosperity”
• Participants: More than 1,500 delegates, including ministers and senior officials from 139 countries
• Presidency: Chaired by the Dominican Republic
• Key Discussion Areas:

• • Strategies to accelerate the energy transition
  • Green industrialization
  • Energy grids and grid modernization
  • Digital innovation and financing mechanisms
• India’s Position:

• • Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi highlighted India’s achievement of the 50% non-fossil fuel capacity target by 2025
  • Emphasis on energy storage solutions and grid modernization
• Significance:

• First major global energy conference of the year
• Marked the official inauguration of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026

Major Discussions and Outcomes:

• Review of Global Targets:

• • Assessment of progress toward the COP28 goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030
• AI and Digital Innovation:

• • For the first time, in-depth discussions on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the energy transition
  • Focus on AI-enabled grid management and energy efficiency
• Climate Finance:

• • Strong emphasis on concessional finance and investment mobilization for developing countries, especially Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF):

• • Discussions on green hydrogen and other clean fuels to decarbonize the aviation sector
• Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW):

• • The Assembly also symbolized the official launch of ADSW 2026

India’s Participation:

• India showcased its renewable energy achievements and called for enhanced global cooperation under the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The World is One Family)
• The Indian delegation highlighted leadership in solar energy and green hydrogen
• Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi reiterated India’s commitment to:

• • Achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel installed capacity by 2030
  • Attaining Net Zero emissions by 2070
• India achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources in 2025, five years ahead of its Paris Agreement NDC target
• India’s renewable energy capacity has crossed 266 GW, placing it among the global leaders in renewable energy deployment

India’s Energy Achievements (2025):

• 50% of total installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil sources (renewables, hydropower, and nuclear energy)
• Non-fossil fuel capacity (2025): 266.78 GW
• Growth over 2024: 22.6%
• Non-fossil capacity in 2024: 217.62 GW
• Capacity addition during the year: 49.12 GW

Renewable Energy Breakdown:

Solar Energy:

• Leading contributor to renewable energy expansion
• Installed capacity (2024): 97.86 GW
• Installed capacity (2025): 135.81 GW
• Growth: 38.8%

Wind Energy:

• Capacity increased from 48.16 GW to 54.51 GW
• Growth: 13.2%

Bio-energy:

• Installed capacity reached 11.61 GW
• Includes 0.55 GW from off-grid Waste-to-Energy projects

Panchamrit Targets:

1. 500 GW Non-Fossil Capacity:

• Achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030

2. 50% Renewable Energy Dependence:

• Meet 50% of total energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030

3. Reduction in Carbon Emissions:

• Reduce projected cumulative carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030

4. Reduction in Carbon Intensity:

• Reduce the carbon intensity of the economy by over 45% by 2030

5. Net Zero Target:

• Achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070
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