Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik led the Indian delegation to the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2026, held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore, from October 26 to 28.
On the sidelines of the event, Naik held bilateral meetings with representatives of Singapore, Bhutan, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the International Energy Agency (IEA) to discuss energy cooperation and strengthen partnerships.
SIEW 2026 coincided with the 25th year of Singapore’s Energy Market Authority. The summit was expanded into a two-day event this year and featured the Singapore-IEA Forum, the Singapore-IRENA Forum and the IAEA at SIEW. Naik delivered a keynote address on the first day and the opening remarks on the second day of the event.
India Has 558.9 GW of Installed Electricity Capacity
Addressing sessions on the first two days, Naik said India’s installed electricity capacity stood at 558.9 GW as of September 30, 2026, of which about 308 GW, or 55 per cent, came from non-fossil sources, according to a Ministry of Power press release.
He noted that India achieved 50 per cent non-fossil installed capacity in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target. The country is now working towards achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
Highlighting progress under flagship schemes, Naik said around 53 lakh rooftop solar systems had been installed under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, benefiting about 63 lakh households.
Under PM-KUSUM, nearly 12 lakh standalone solar pumps have been installed, while more than 17 lakh grid-connected agricultural pumps have been solarised. These initiatives have added about 16.7 GW of decentralised renewable energy capacity and benefited around 30 lakh farmers.
India-Singapore Talks Focus on Cross-Border Electricity Link
Naik met Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Energy and Trade and Industry, Republic of Singapore. The two sides discussed energy cooperation under the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including the proposed cross-border electricity interconnection between the two countries.
Naik invited long-term Singaporean investment in transmission, pumped storage, battery storage and renewable energy in India.
The discussions also covered cooperation in green hydrogen and ammonia, energy efficiency, and partnerships between Indian power equipment manufacturers and Singapore’s utilities.
India and Bhutan Review Hydropower Projects
Naik met Lyonpo Sonam Tashi, Minister for Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan, and congratulated him on assuming office.
The two Ministers reviewed progress on the 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project, where dam works have progressed steadily since concreting resumed in April 2026. They also noted the satisfactory operations of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II project.
The discussions covered other projects under consideration in partnership with Indian entities and cross-border transmission planning up to 2040.
Renewable Energy Cooperation with IRENA
Naik met Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). He appreciated IRENA’s role as a platform for international cooperation on renewable energy.
The two sides discussed deeper cooperation under the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and IRENA in January 2022.
The discussions covered affordable finance for renewable energy in developing economies, long-term energy planning, green hydrogen and capacity building, including in the ASEAN region.
IEA Reports on Renewable Energy and Critical Minerals
Naik also met Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
He welcomed the forthcoming launch of the IEA’s India Renewable Energy Market Report 2026 at the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and the India Critical Minerals Report at India Mining Week.
Visits Battery Storage and Waste-to-Energy Facilities
On the third day of his visit, Naik visited Sembcorp’s 326 MWh Battery Energy Storage System Plant at Jurong Island.
Comprising 800 large-scale lithium-ion phosphate batteries, the Sembcorp Energy Storage System on Jurong Island is the largest utility-scale battery energy storage system (ESS) in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
The tour concluded with a visit to Keppel’s 800 TPD, 22 MW Waste-to-Energy Plant in the Tuas Region.
The visit provided an opportunity to share India’s progress in the power and renewable energy sectors and advance the country’s energy partnerships with Singapore and other partner countries and agencies.
-PIB Inputs
