India stands out in WEF Energy Transition Index, shows great gains

India has defied a global slowdown in energy transition readiness, vaulting two places to 70th in the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 Energy Transition Index (ETI), marking it as one of the strongest improvers worldwide. This ascent comes as the broader global shift towards cleaner energy systems faces unprecedented headwinds, with overall transition readiness declining for the first time in over a decade due to intensifying geopolitical fragmentation, supply chain vulnerabilities, and weakened financing conditions. New Delhi's proactive investments in robust infrastructure and a skilled workforce have been pivotal in this exceptional performance, positioning the nation as a crucial player in the next phase of the global energy transformation. The stakes are high as the ETI 2026 report highlights a mixed global picture, where record clean energy investment in 2025 (USD 2.3 trillion) has not translated into sustained systemic progress, with only 24% of countries advancing across all core metrics. India, however, achieved 50% non-fossil fuel installed capacity in 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 target, propelled by schemes like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) for solar manufacturing and significant strides in grid infrastructure and green hydrogen initiatives. The country's renewable energy employment soared by 25% in 2023, underscoring the impact of human capital development in fueling this shift amidst rising energy security concerns globally, exacerbated by disruptions such as those in the Strait of Hormuz. Looking ahead, India next challenge is to translate these readiness gains into accelerated deployment of renewables, advanced storage solutions, and domestic clean energy manufacturing at a scale commensurate with its rapidly growing energy demand and net-zero emissions target by 2070. The focus will be on expanding renewable capacity beyond the leading states and addressing market consolidation challenges in sectors like solar manufacturing, particularly in the face of international trade restrictions. The nation's continued commitment to an infrastructure-led clean energy strategy, including ongoing large-scale transmission projects and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, will be critical in sustaining momentum and influencing the global energy landscape.