India Calls for Global Action on SIDS Energy Security at ISA Session in Brazil

India called for united global action to strengthen energy security in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) during the ISA SIDS Leadership Session held on the sidelines of UNFCCC CoP30 in Belem, Brazil.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, addressing ministers and senior representatives from SIDS and ISA member countries, framed solar energy as a transformative force capable of strengthening resilience and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Speaking under the theme 'Uniting Islands, Inspiring Action – Leadership for Energy Security,' Yadav highlighted the harsh vulnerabilities faced by SIDS, including climate disruptions, high fuel costs, and fragile energy ecosystems. He noted that the ISA SIDS Platform has been designed to tackle these gaps by creating a robust digital and financial ecosystem that accelerates solar deployment through standardised procurement, blended finance, and capacity-building initiatives.

Yadav underscored India’s rapid progress in the clean energy transition, announcing that the country has surpassed 500 GW of installed electricity capacity, with more than half coming from non-fossil fuel sources. India, now the world’s fourth-largest renewable energy producer and third-largest solar power generator, has achieved its 50 percent non-fossil capacity target five years ahead of schedule. He credited the momentum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on scale, speed, and public participation.

Drawing from grassroots success stories, the Minister highlighted the PM Surya Ghar Rooftop Solar Programme, sharing the example of a schoolteacher whose monthly worries about electricity bills shifted to excitement about sunshine and income generation. He noted that more than 20 lakh households have already adopted rooftop solar, calling it a form of “freedom for every household.”

Yadav also emphasised the growing impact of solar-powered agriculture across India, describing it as 'a new dawn' for farmers through solar pumps and solarised feeders that ensure reliable daytime power, eliminate diesel dependence, and improve income stability. The Minister additionally highlighted initiatives bringing electricity to remote and forested regions through the PM JANMAN scheme.

Pointing to large-scale energy storage plans, Yadav said that India is developing some of the world’s biggest solar-and-battery projects, including a major installation in Ladakh designed to store enough power to illuminate an entire city. He stressed that such models offer significant potential for SIDS by reducing diesel imports and strengthening climate resilience.

Reaffirming India’s commitment to the International Solar Alliance, he described ISA as a 'global solar family' uniting more than 124 countries across continents. He said ISA is accelerating project design, mobilising finance, boosting local jobs, and making solar energy the preferred option for clean and reliable electricity.

Representatives from island nations welcomed India’s leadership and praised its rapid advances in the renewable energy sector. They emphasised the need for climate-resilient energy systems, acknowledging that building such capacities is not merely a climate imperative but a socio-economic one. Participants expressed confidence that the SIDS Platform would help them strengthen resilience through feasibility studies, workforce skill development, and improved access to climate finance.