Executive Summary:
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) supports research and innovation in renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, hydrogen, and storage. This is done through the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme (RERTD) and the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). The goal is to develop indigenous technologies, promote clean energy development, and enhance India's leadership in global energy innovation and green jobs through skill development programs.
Key Points / Main Content:
Research and Innovation Support:
* MNRE implements the RERTD program to develop indigenous renewable energy technologies and manufacturing.
* Hydrogen research is conducted under the NGHM.
* Key institutions involved include NISE-Gurugram, NIWE-Chennai, NIBE-Kapurthala, IITs (Bombay, Madras, Roorkee, Kanpur, Ropar, BHU), CSIR-NPL, CSIR-CECRI-Karaikudi, CSIR-NCL-Pune, ARCI, and other R&D organizations.
Focus Areas for Next-Generation Clean Energy:
* High-efficiency, low-cost solar PV cells and modules.
* Innovative solar PV applications (Agro PV, Floating PV, BIPV).
* Solar thermal and cold storage.
* Innovative Solar Rooftop Projects under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
* Advanced hydrogen production, storage, and utilization technologies.
* Alternate chemistries for batteries (sodium-ion, flow, solid-state).
* Circularity in renewable energy technologies (batteries and solar PV).
* Offshore wind technology and hybrid systems.
* Advanced Bioenergy/Waste-to-Energy systems.
* Geothermal energy.
* Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation for renewable energy.
Partnerships and Collaborations:
* Research is conducted in coordination with academia, startups, and international organizations under RERTD and NGHM.
* Organizations such as DST, CSIR, and IIT Madras Research Park also collaborate with academic institutions, international partners, and startups.
Skill Development Initiatives:
* MNRE implements capacity building and skill development programs for renewable energy projects.
* Suryamitra, Varunmitra, Vayumitra, and Jal Urjamitra technician programs are implemented under the Human Resource Development Programme.
* Training for technicians, electricians, installers, engineers, supervisors, vendors, and trainers is provided under the Prime Minister Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) through DGT, NIESBUD, NISE, and SCGJ.
* A scheme for skilling, upskilling, and reskilling is being implemented under the NGHM for the Green Hydrogen Sector.
* The Skill Council of Green Jobs (SCGJ) provides training and certifications in renewable energy under PMKVY, Suryamitra Skill Development Program, and other schemes.
Impact Analysis:
Research Institutions and Industry:
* Impact: These entities receive support and funding to conduct research and develop renewable energy technologies.
* Action Required: Continue conducting research and development activities in line with MNRE's priorities.
Academia and Startups:
* Impact: Collaboration opportunities are available to contribute to renewable energy research and development.
* Action Required: Engage in research partnerships and collaborations with MNRE and other organizations.
International Collaborators:
* Impact: Opportunity to participate in joint research projects and technology transfer.
* Action Required: Explore partnership opportunities with MNRE and Indian research institutions.
Youth / Workforce:
* Impact: Access to skill development programs and employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
* Action Required: Participate in skill development programs to gain expertise in renewable energy technologies.
Training Institutions (DGT, NIESBUD, NISE, SCGJ):
* Impact: Play a key role in implementing skill development programs and training the workforce.
* Action Required: Conduct training programs for technicians, electricians, installers, engineers, supervisors, vendors, and trainers.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE): The Indian government ministry responsible for research, development, and deployment of new and renewable energy in India. It implements the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme (RERTD).
National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM): A government initiative in India focused on hydrogen research, production, storage, and utilization technologies, including skilling initiatives in the green hydrogen sector.
National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gurugram: A key research institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), located in Gurugram, Haryana, involved in solar energy research and development.
National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai: A key research institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, involved in wind energy research and development.
Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme (RERTD): A program implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to develop indigenous technologies and manufacturing for renewable energy applications.
Prime Minister Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY): A government scheme focused on promoting solar rooftop systems, including provisions for training technicians and electricians for installation, design, and operation & maintenance.
Skill Council of Green Jobs (SCGJ): A sector Skill Council under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship providing training and certifications in renewable energy.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT): A group of premier engineering and technology institutes in India, including IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee, IIT Kanpur, IIT Ropar and IIT BHU, involved in renewable energy research.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 398
ANSWERED ON 20/08/2025
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
*398. SHRI RAJESH VERMA
SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE
Will the MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state
(a) whether the Ministry supports research and innovation in solar, wind, hydrogen energy and
storage technologies and if so, the details of key institutions involved therein;
(b) the focus areas for next-generation clean energy development including Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and automation;
(c) whether partnerships with startups, academia and international collaborators are being
encouraged and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the manner in which skill development initiatives are being integrated to train youth in the
renewable energy sector and thus enhance India’s leadership in global energy innovation and green
jobs?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, &
FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)
(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No.
398 for ANSWER ON 20.08.2025
(a) Yes. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing a “Renewable
Energy Research and Technology Development Programme (RE-RTD)” through various research
institutions and industry to develop indigenous technologies and manufacturing for widespread
applications of new and renewable energy including solar, wind, and storage technologies in
efficient and cost-effective manner. Hydrogen research is being carried out under the National
Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
The key institutions involved at present with the Ministry for carrying out research include National
Institute of Solar Energy (NISE)-Gurugram, National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE)-Chennai,
National Institute of Bio-Energy (NIBE)-Kapurthala, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay,
IIT Madras, IIT-Roorkee, IIT Kanpur, IIT-Ropar, IIT BHU, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory
(NPL), CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute-Karaikudi, CSIR-National Chemical
Laboratory-Pune, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New
Materials (ARCI), and other leading R&D organizations.
(b) Major focus areas for research and development of next-generation clean energy are as
follows:
• High-efficiency and low-cost solar PV cell and modules
• New and Innovative solar PV applications such as Agro PV, Floating PV and BIPV
• Solar thermal, solar cold storage
• Innovative Solar Rooftop Projects under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
• Advanced hydrogen production, storage and utilization technologies
• Alternate chemistries for development of sodium-ion, flow batteries, solid-state batteries
etc.
• Circularity in Renewable Energy Technologies: Batteries and Solar Photovoltaic
• Offshore wind technology and hybrid systems
• Advanced Bioenergy & Waste-to-Energy systems
• Geothermal Energy
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation for Renewable Energy
(c) Yes, the research is being conducted in close coordination with Academia, startups, and
international organizations under RE-RTD programme and NGHM. Apart from this, several other
organizations are also working in the field of renewable energy in collaboration with leading
academic institutions, international collaborators and startup such as Department of Science &
Technology (DST), CSIR, IIT Madras Research Park, etc.
(d) MNRE is implementing following capacity building and skill development programmes to
create skilled workforce for design, installation, operation & maintenance etc. of Renewable Energy
projects to facilitate employment opportunities for youth:
i. Skill development programmes such as Suryamitra (Solar PV Technician), Varunmitra
(Solar Water Pumping Technician), Vayumitra (Wind Power Plant Technician) and Jal-
Urjamitra (Small Hydro Power Plant Technician) are being implemented under Human Resource
Development Programme.
ii. Under Prime Minister Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), to build capable local
expert workforce for installation/design/O&M for solar roof top systems throughout the country,
trainings for the Technicians/ Electricians/ Installers/ Engineers/ Supervisors / vendors / trainers
are being imparted through Directorate General of Training (DGT), National Institute forEntrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), National Institute of Solar
Energy (NISE), and Skill Council of Green Jobs (SCGJ) etc.
iii. Skilled manpower for Green Hydrogen Sector is being created through a scheme on skilling,
up-skilling, and re-skilling under National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
iv. Skill Council of Green Jobs (SCGJ), a sector Skill Council under Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship is also providing trainings and certifications in Renewable
energy under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Suryamitra Skill Development
Program & other Schemes.
These efforts enhance India’s leadership in global energy innovation and green jobs.
*****