New Delhi, Nov 02: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday outlined the state’s ambitious energy roadmap at the India Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, projecting ₹5.60 lakh crore in prospective investments over the next five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the four-day international summit, which has drawn representatives, policymakers, and corporate leaders from over 130 countries.

Addressing a high-level roundtable attended by Union Ministers and participating Chief Ministers, Sai pitched Chhattisgarh as a premier destination for clean energy development. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik were also present at the inaugural session.

Outlining the state’s strategic targets, Sai stated that Chhattisgarh has formulated a comprehensive blueprint aimed at scaling its green energy capacity from the current 3,000 megawatts to 15,000 megawatts by 2030. The state also aims to expand the share of renewable energy in its total power consumption from 15 percent to over 45 percent, aligning with India’s national goal of achieving 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

The state government has planned targeted outlays comprising ₹1.33 lakh crore for 23,923 megawatts of renewable energy projects and approximately ₹3.27 lakh crore toward expanding thermal power generation capacity to meet rising industrial demand. At present, Chhattisgarh operates over 28,000 megawatts of coal-based thermal capacity, while concurrently scaling up solar, hydro, biomass, and energy storage infrastructure.

To ensure grid stability and uninterrupted power supply, the state has identified 10 pumped-storage hydroelectric projects with a combined capacity of 12,300 megawatts, representing an investment potential of roughly ₹65,000 crore. Additionally, the state plans to deploy 10,000 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage systems over the next two years, building upon existing facilities such as the 100-megawatt solar plant paired with a 40-megawatt/120-megawatt-hour battery storage system in Rajnandgaon.

Highlighting grassroots clean energy adoption, Sai noted that Khaira village in Rajnandgaon district has emerged as Chhattisgarh’s first fully solar-powered settlement. Rooftop solar installations on all 141 households generate 282 kilowatts of power, including systems deployed across 93 homes constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana without any financial burden on beneficiaries.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, approximately 1.26 lakh solar plants have been installed across the state. Furthermore, 1.66 lakh solar agricultural pumps are currently operational, irrigating nearly 1.94 lakh hectares of farmland, complemented by proposed solar projects totalling 395 megawatts under the Pradhan Mantri PM-KUSUM scheme.

To harness agricultural residue and organic waste, the state is advancing eight compressed biogas plants with a total capacity of 80 metric tonnes, drawing ₹800 crore in proposed investments alongside an additional ₹6,000 crore in proposals received from private developers. The state’s long-term vision also encompasses 4,200 megawatts of nuclear energy projects as part of a broader ₹1.60 lakh crore infrastructure outlay spanning diverse energy sectors.

During the summit, Chief Minister Sai visited the Chhattisgarh pavilion, which highlights the state’s resource base, modern infrastructure, and regulatory framework designed to facilitate industrial growth. He interacted with global investors and industry delegations, assuring them of a business-friendly ecosystem that balances industrial expansion with environmental sustainability.

The four-day summit, organized around the theme of ‘Investment, Innovation, and Inspiration’, features nine partner nations—including Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh and other senior officials accompanied the Chief Minister to the event.