The International Energy Agency (IEA) last released a World Energy Outlook special report on India in 2015. Six years later, it is remarkable to consider the changes that have taken place. The global energy sector has shifted a great deal over that period, particularly in terms of efforts to strengthen policies to tackle the threat of climate change. The growing number of net‐zero emissions pledges by  countries and companies reflects  the  increasing  sense  of  urgency and accelerating momentum around clean energy transitions.  

Most recently, the Covid‐19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruptions to our societies and economies, with major consequences across the energy world. The damage to lives and livelihoods – and to many parts of the energy sector – will last for years to come. 

Focusing on  India’s  energy system  in particular, I  would like  to  highlight  two  extremely  positive developments that stand out to me. The first is India’s success in bringing electricity connections  to  hundreds  of  millions  of  its  citizens  in  recent  years.  This  is  a  monumental  achievement that has improved the material well‐being of a huge number of people, and I heartily congratulate the Government of India for it. 

The  second  greatly  encouraging  development  is  the  way  in  which  India  has  grasped  the  transformative  potential  of  renewables,  and  solar  in  particular.  As  this  report  shows,  the growth of India’s renewable energy sector has been highly impressive – and India is set to lead the world in areas like solar power and batteries in the coming decades. 

This has also been an exciting period for India‐IEA relations. Less than four years after joining the IEA family as an Association country, India recently agreed with IEA members to enter into a Strategic Partnership. Marked by a signing ceremony involving dignitaries from India and IEA members, this was a major milestone that could eventually lead to full membership for India, which would be a game‐changing moment for global energy governance. 

I hope that the depth and insight of the analysis in this new special report bears testament to the close working relationships and understanding that we have built over these years between India and the IEA.  

As our new report  makes  clear, many  challenges remain  for  India – in  terms  of energy  security, access, affordability, emissions and more. But India’s decision makers have shown on many occasions the value of well‐designed policies. A compelling example is the roll‐out of efficient LED lighting to millions of households all across the country, making electricity more affordable and sustainable at the same time. 

What  this  report  makes  clear  is  the  tremendous  opportunity  for  India  to  develop  and  successfully meet the aspirations of its citizens without following the high‐carbon pathway that other economies have pursued in the past. Seizing this opportunity is critically important for India, and critically important for the world.