Mumbai, India – In a surprising move, Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL), a subsidiary of the Adani Group, is leading the construction of the world’s biggest clean energy plant. The sprawling facility, five times the size of Paris and visible from space, will utilize solar and wind power to generate electricity for millions of Indian households.

This ambitious project, estimated to cost $20 billion, marks a significant shift for the Adani Group, traditionally known for its coal mining and thermal power operations. Sagar Adani, executive director of AGEL, acknowledges the large scale of the undertaking: “The scale is so overwhelming… I can’t keep up with the math anymore,” he told in a recent interview on CNN.

Despite the Adani Group’s past reliance on coal, the new plant signifies a potential turning point for India’s energy sector. The country, with its rapidly growing population and rising living standards, faces a surging demand for electricity. This project aims to meet that demand with clean, renewable sources.

Once completed in approximately five years, the plant is expected to generate enough electricity to power 16 million homes. This aligns with India’s ambitious clean energy goals, including achieving 50% renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070.

Analysts point to several factors driving this shift. Firstly, there’s a growing global pressure to transition towards renewable energy sources to combat climate change. Secondly, the economics of solar and wind power have become increasingly competitive with coal.

The project, however, is not without its critics. Some environmental groups question the Adani Group’s long-term commitment to clean energy, given their past reliance on coal. Others raise concerns about the potential environmental impact of such a large-scale project on the local ecosystem.

Regardless of these concerns, the Adani Green Energy project represents a significant step towards India’s clean energy future. The success of this endeavor could pave the way for even larger renewable energy projects around the world.