Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa, has urged India to increase its clean energy target from 500 GW to 1,500 GW by 2030 during a panel discussion hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He stated that this shift is essential for achieving energy independence and positioning India as a global leader in green energy. Kant highlighted India's heavy reliance on imports for 85% of its fossil fuel and nearly 50% of its gas needs, making the transition a geopolitical necessity. He stressed the importance of enhancing renewable energy capacity, battery storage, and transmission infrastructure to support long-term economic growth. Additionally, Kant proposed aggressive timelines for phasing out fossil fuel vehicles, suggesting that registration for two- and three-wheelers should end by 2027, buses and trucks by 2030, and four-wheelers by 2032. He also pointed out that nearly 31 GW of renewable energy capacity is currently stranded due to inadequate transmission infrastructure. Kant urged the government to collaborate with distribution companies to build necessary infrastructure ahead of demand growth. The discussion also included insights from Sumant Sinha, CEO of ReNew, who noted the industry's shift towards round-the-clock renewable energy solutions supported by battery storage. Furthermore, former ambassador Sanjay Sudhir highlighted India's limited strategic petroleum reserves, currently at only 9.5 days, compared to the 90-day benchmark set by the International Energy Agency, emphasizing the need for diversification in crude sourcing and investment in energy resilience.