As a new year kicks off, India’s renewable energy market is surging ahead. Prime Minister Modi’s government just targeted $100 billion worth of investments to support reaching the ambitious goal of installing 100 gigawatts of solar energy by 2022.

As Minister Javadekar emphasized, India has a rapidly growing economy and is tackling the pressing challenges of development. But India also recognizes that rapid deployment of clean energy can actually boost economic growth and help address big domestic issues such as energy security, energy access and rising energy demands, in addition to lowering carbon emissions. In these ways, domestic action to shift to a low carbon economy can be a win-win for India, whose people, cities and long coastlines are some of the most at risk to the impacts of climate change.

After six years of gridlock, India is stepping forward in discussions with over 180 countries on protecting our climate and moving forward with a global phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), super potent heat-trapping greenhouse gases.

More than ever, people are flocking to India’s cities, where increasing standards of living and rapid urbanization are causing enormous strain on the country’s energy supplies.

India’s solar and wind programs have catalyzed rapid growth, providing much needed energy access while creating enormous employment opportunities for India’s workforce, as discussed during the launch of a new series of reports on Renewable Energy Jobs and Finance in New Delhi today.

In his Independence Day speech from Old Delhi’s famed Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to replace India’s 64-year-old Planning Commission with a new central government think-tank led by mix of experts.

As India celebrates Independence Day this Friday, August 15th, it will bring with it a history of struggle, conflict, and triumph. It is certain that India has come a long way in the 67 years since it gained independence, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made promises since he took office in May to improve the livelihoods of the Indian people.

India is suffering from severe power outages this month. Power plants are running out coal and citizens are protesting in the street as their livelihoods are threatened.

National elections are underway and dominating headlines and conversations across India.