The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is a Ministry of the Government of India responsible for developing and deploying new and renewable energy sources to supplement the nation's energy requirements. Its origin traces back to the energy crisis of the 1970s, which led to the establishment of the Commission for Additional Sources of Energy (CASE) in March 1981 within the Department of Science and Technology. This was followed by the creation of the Department of Non-conventional Energy Sources (DNES) in 1982, which was later renamed the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources in 1992. The Ministry adopted its current name, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in October 2006. The core problem it solves is ensuring Energy Security and increasing the share of clean power by reducing reliance on imported oil and fossil fuels.
The MNRE works by formulating policies, promoting research and development, and coordinating the deployment of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, small hydro, and biomass. Key mechanisms include major initiatives like the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), which initially set an ambitious target of deploying 100,000 MW of grid-connected solar power by 2022. The Ministry implements schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) and the Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II. It connects to institutions like the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) and the Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS), and its work is closely linked to the Electricity Act, 2003, through regulations like the Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022. Recently, the MNRE has focused on strengthening the domestic solar manufacturing value chain through schemes like the PLI for high-efficiency modules, which has seen India's module manufacturing capacity jump from 2.3 GW in 2014 to 122 GW. The Ministry also continues to issue amendments, such as the Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023, to refine the regulatory framework for green energy access.