The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, organized a Regional Workshop on Renewable Energy for the NortheastZone in Guwahati to accelerate the renewable energy transition in the region. Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the workshop in the presence of Shri Santosh Sarangi, Secretary, MNRE, the Energy Ministers of the Northeastern States, and senior officials.
In his address, Shri Joshi emphasized the Northeast’s vast potential in solar, small hydro, and biomass energy and urged states to expedite the implementation of schemes such as PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM. Highlighting the government’s focus on inclusive growth, he mentioned India’s rapid economic expansion and the transformation underway through renewable energy initiatives.
Shri Joshi highlighted that only about 54,545 households in the Northeasthave benefitted under PM-Surya Ghar Yojana and urged states to enhance adoption. He noted the region’s vast 122 GW renewable potential with just 5.1 GW installed. He also commended the state of Assam, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma. Assam is among the very first states in India to notify a comprehensive Integrated Clean Energy Policy.
He announced that MNRE will soon launch a new Small Hydro Policy, which will immensely benefit the Northeast. The minister reaffirmed MNRE’s commitment to providing policy and financial support for clean energy development in the region.
State Energy Ministers from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Tripura shared their progress and challenges in renewable energy implementation. The workshop featured discussions on green hydrogen, decentralized renewable energy, and financing models to strengthen regional collaboration. The minister appreciated the efforts of Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh under PM-KUSUM and of Assam and Mizoram under PM-Surya Ghar for their exemplary performance by awarding a certificate. The best-performing DISCOM, district, and vendors of the Northeastern Region were also felicitated.
The workshop concluded with a call for greater cooperation between the center, the Northeastern states, and industry stakeholders to harness the Northeast’s R-E potential and ensure a sustainable, energy-secure future for the region.





