India must emerge as a global clean energy tech producer: Minister Kumaraswamy; cites ₹36,280-crore EV push

India's long-term energy security will increasingly depend on its manufacturing strength and resilient supply chains rather than merely access to energy resources, Union Steel and Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said on Thursday, underscoring the government's ₹36,280 crore push across electric mobility, advanced batteries and rare earth magnets to build a self-reliant clean energy ecosystem.

Speaking at the 7th CII International Energy Conference & Exhibition in New Delhi, the minister said the global energy transition is reshaping industrial priorities, with manufacturing capability, technological innovation and secure supply chains emerging as key determinants of economic and strategic strength.

Manufacturing emerges as the new pillar of energy security

"Today, under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's energy security is no longer defined solely by access to energy resources. It is increasingly determined by our ability to manufacture, innovate and build resilient supply chains for the technologies that will power the future," Kumaraswamy said.

He noted that geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and intensifying competition for critical minerals have fundamentally altered global industrial dynamics, making resilient manufacturing ecosystems central to national energy security.

Calling for a stronger domestic industrial base under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, the minister said India must move beyond being a large market for clean technologies.

"India should not merely become one of the world's largest consumers of clean energy technologies. India must become one of the world's leading producers of the equipment, materials and technologies that will drive the global energy transition," he said.

₹36,280 crore push to strengthen clean energy ecosystem

Highlighting the government's policy measures, Kumaraswamy said the ₹10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE Scheme is designed not only to accelerate electric vehicle adoption but also to deepen localisation, strengthen domestic manufacturing and build resilient supply chains.

He also cited the ₹18,100 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Batteries, which aims to establish 50 GWh of domestic battery manufacturing capacity, reducing India's reliance on imported battery technologies.

In addition, the minister highlighted the ₹7,280 crore Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets, describing it as a strategic initiative to reduce import dependence and strengthen supply chains for sectors such as automobiles, defence, renewable energy and aerospace.

Green steel to power India's energy transition

Kumaraswamy said steel will remain the backbone of India's clean energy ambitions, with every major investment in renewable energy infrastructure—including solar parks, wind turbines, transmission networks, battery manufacturing facilities, ports and green hydrogen projects—depending heavily on the sector.

India, currently the world's second-largest steel producer, is well placed to meet both domestic infrastructure requirements and rising global demand for sustainable steel, he said, reiterating the government's target of achieving 300 million tonnes of steelmaking capacity by 2030.

"Steel has become the backbone of the global energy transition. The future of the steel sector will not be defined only by production capacity but by sustainability, competitiveness and technological advancement," Kumaraswamy said.

He added that the government is encouraging greater use of renewable energy, energy-efficient technologies, improved resource efficiency and decarbonisation across the steel value chain to accelerate the shift towards green steel.

Industry collaboration critical for Viksit Bharat

Calling for deeper collaboration among government, industry, academia, research institutions and financial organisations, Kumaraswamy said resilient supply chains cannot be built through policy interventions alone.

"Our objective is to build complete domestic manufacturing ecosystems that create value and generate employment. This is the essence of resilient supply chains in the twenty-first century," he said.

Inviting industry to partner with the government, the minister concluded: "I invite industry and all stakeholders to come forward and work with the Government to make India Aatmanirbhar and realise the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047."