Budget marks watershed moment in India's journey toward clean energy, say experts

New Delhi, PTI: Industry experts hailed steps for boosting clean energy like nuclear mission, incentives for critical minerals and renewable equipment in the Budget presented on Saturday by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman. Sitharaman announced a Rs 20,000-crore nuclear mission and duty exemptions for crucial minerals and capital goods for electric vehicles to step up energy transition. Rajat Verma, Founder & CEO, LOHUM said, “The 2025 budget marks a watershed moment in India's journey toward clean energy sovereignty and circular economy leadership.

The government's strategic vision for domestic manufacturing and critical minerals recycling demonstrates remarkable foresight in securing our sustainable future." The elimination of import duties on lithium-ion battery scrap, cobalt powder, and an array of critical mineral wastes unlocks unprecedented opportunities. Coupled with the duty exemption expansion to 63 additional capital goods for EV and mobile battery production, this creates a robust foundation for India's manufacturing renaissance, he opined.

The landmark Rs 20,000 crore investment in private- sector R&D for emerging technologies signals a transformative shift in bui lding a sustainable critical minerals ecosystem, Verma said. Devansh Jain, Executive Director, INOXGFL Group, "The emphasis on wind energy, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and EV infrastructure, along with dedicated support for Clean Tech manufacturing, marks a transformative step toward sustainability." By fostering domestic value addition in solar PV cells, EV batteries, motors, controllers, electrolyzers, wind turbines, high-voltage transmission equipment, and grid-scale batteries, he stated.