India Singapore energy cooperation gained momentum at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2026, where Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri Shripad Yesso Naik highlighted India’s progress in clean energy and discussed opportunities for cross-border electricity connectivity, renewable energy investment and regional partnerships.
India’s installed electricity capacity reached 558.9 GW as of September 30, 2026, with approximately 308 GW or 55% of the total coming from non-fossil fuel sources, according to the Ministry of Power. Speaking at the event in Singapore, the Minister outlined India’s renewable energy ambitions and progress towards its target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
Held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre from October 26 to 28, SIEW 2026 brought together discussions on energy markets, international co-operation and the energy transition. The event coincided with the 25th anniversary of Singapore’s Energy Market Authority and featured the Singapore-IEA Forum, Singapore-IRENA Forum and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at SIEW.
India Accelerates Renewable Energy Deployment
Addressing the summit, Shri Naik highlighted India’s achievement of reaching 50% non-fossil installed electricity capacity in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution target.
He also outlined progress under two major government initiatives aimed at expanding decentralized solar energy adoption.
Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, approximately 53 lakh rooftop solar systems had been installed, benefitting around 63 lakh households. Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, nearly 12 lakh standalone solar pumps had been installed, while more than 17 lakh grid-connected agricultural pumps had been solarized.
Together, these agricultural solarization initiatives have added approximately 16.7 GW of decentralized renewable energy capacity and benefitted around 30 lakh farmers, according to the Ministry of Power.
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India and Singapore Explore Cross-Border Power Connectivity
During a bilateral meeting with Ms. Gan Siow Huang, Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Energy and Trade and Industry, the Minister discussed energy cooperation under the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
A key area of discussion was the proposed cross-border electricity interconnection between India and Singapore. The two sides also explored opportunities for long-term Singaporean investment in India’s transmission infrastructure, pumped storage projects, battery energy storage systems and renewable energy sector.
Further discussions covered green hydrogen and ammonia, energy efficiency, and potential partnerships between Indian power equipment manufacturers and Singapore’s utilities.
The proposed electricity interconnection and wider investment discussions highlight areas of potential cooperation in regional power connectivity and clean energy development.
India and Bhutan Review Hydropower Projects
The Minister also met H.E. Lyonpo Sonam Tashi, Bhutan’s Minister for Energy and Natural Resources to review progress on bilateral hydropower cooperation.
The discussions covered the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project, where dam construction had progressed following the resumption of concreting work in April 2026. The two Ministers also reviewed the operations of the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II project.
Other hydropower projects being discussed with Indian entities and cross-border transmission planning through 2040 were also on the agenda.
Hydropower cooperation remains an important component of India-Bhutan energy ties, with the discussions addressing both ongoing project development and longer-term transmission planning.
India Deepens Engagement with IRENA and IEA
The Minister held separate meetings with Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
In his meeting with IRENA, he discussed strengthening cooperation under the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and IRENA in January 2022.
The discussions focused on affordable financing for renewable energy projects in developing economies, long-term energy planning, green hydrogen and capacity building, including across the ASEAN region.
During his meeting with the IEA Executive Director, Shri Naik welcomed the forthcoming launch of the IEA’s India Renewable Energy Market Report 2026 at the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit. He also welcomed the planned release of the India Critical Minerals Report at India Mining Week.
These engagements addressed opportunities for international collaboration in renewable energy deployment, energy planning and critical minerals.
Minister Visits Singapore’s Battery Storage and Waste-to-Energy Facilities
As part of the visit, Shri Naik toured Sembcorp’s battery energy storage facility on Jurong Island. The 326 MWh installation comprises 800 large-scale lithium iron phosphate batteries and is described as the largest utility-scale battery energy storage system in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
Battery energy storage systems play a role in supporting electricity grid flexibility and integrating variable renewable energy sources by storing electricity for use when required.
The Minister also visited Keppel’s waste-to-energy plant in Singapore’s Tuas region. The facility has a stated processing capacity of 800 tonnes per day and a power generation capacity of 22 MW.
The visits provided an opportunity to observe Singapore’s experience in large-scale energy storage and waste-to-energy infrastructure.
India-Singapore Energy Cooperation: Key Areas of Focus
Shri Naik’s participation in SIEW 2026 and his bilateral engagements covered several areas relevant to India’s evolving energy sector, including:
Cross-border electricity connectivity: Discussions on a proposed power interconnection between India and Singapore.
Renewable energy investment: Opportunities for Singaporean investment in Indian renewable energy and transmission infrastructure.
Energy storage: Cooperation involving battery storage and pumped storage projects.
Green hydrogen: Discussions on green hydrogen, ammonia and related clean energy opportunities.
Regional energy partnerships: Engagement with Bhutan, IRENA and the IEA on hydropower, energy planning, financing and capacity building.
Sustainable infrastructure: Exposure to Singapore’s utility-scale battery storage and waste-to-energy facilities.
The visit concluded with a focus on advancing India’s international energy partnerships while showcasing progress in non-fossil electricity capacity, decentralized solar deployment and clean energy infrastructure.
As India works towards its 2030 non-fossil capacity target, continued engagement with international partners could support cooperation in investment, technology, power connectivity and renewable energy development.
