Renewable Energy India Expo 2026: First Minister's speech - 22 October 2026

Ladies and gentleman good morning it’s a huge pleasure to be with you today and thank you for the warm welcome to Renewable Energy India Expo 2026.

It’s such a privilege to have this opportunity to share a perspective from Scotland where we are focused on developing a renewable energy capability using the natural strengths and the technological expertise of Scotland and are keen to share that with the international community, and this opportunity in India at this magnificent event is such a precious opportunity to do that.

Rabindranath Tagore once wrote, "You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water."

That idea seems particularly relevant here today.

Looking around this event, it is clear that nobody here is standing still.

Later today, I will be spending some time on the exhibition floor and meeting some of the businesses, researchers and innovators that are gathered here.

But already, what strikes me is not simply the scale of the technology that’s on display.

It is the sense of purpose behind it.

Around us are people who are not waiting for the future to arrive.

They are building the future.

Here, in one of the sunniest regions of India, we can see the extraordinary progress being made in harnessing renewable energy.

But what is happening here is about much more than power generation.

It is about creating employment.

Attracting investment.

Strengthening energy security.

And building a more prosperous future.

Because the energy transition is not simply an environmental necessity.

It is one of the greatest economic opportunities of our time.

And it will be achieved through partnership.

India is leading one of the world's most ambitious renewable energy transitions.

The scale of investment, deployment and innovation taking place around India's renewable energy sector is truly remarkable.

And its success will be critical to the global transition to net zero.

The businesses, investors and innovators gathered here today demonstrate just how important international collaboration will be in delivering the energy systems of the future.

The countries that develop the technologies, skills and partnerships required for that transition will help to shape the global economy for decades to come.

But the scale of the challenge means that no one country can deliver this transition alone.

At a time of extraordinary geopolitical uncertainty and growing competition for investment, technology and skills, energy security has become more important than ever.

Countries must strengthen their resilience, protect their economies and ensure the benefits of the transition are felt by their communities.

That is why partnerships matter.

Scotland and India may be two different countries, but we share a common ambition: to build prosperous, modern economies powered by clean energy, innovation and international partnership.

Today I want to share why I believe Scotland and India are natural partners in the energy transition, and the opportunities that collaboration can create for both of our countries.

If we work together, we can help to ensure that more of the economic benefits of the energy transition are felt in our communities, support our businesses and create lasting opportunities for people in both of our countries.

So that is why I am here today: Scotland is ready to be a partner in India's energy transition.

Together we can realise our ambitions by combining Scottish expertise and innovation with India's scale, talent and capability.

Offshore wind is playing an increasingly important role in Scotland’s energy future.

More than 70 per cent of electricity generated in Scotland in 2025 came from renewable sources.

And our vast renewable energy potential is also one of our greatest economic opportunities.

We are harnessing the power of offshore wind and continuing to develop and expand our already established onshore wind capabilities.

Increasingly, we are focused on repowering existing sites, creating new opportunities for investment, innovation and international collaboration.

We are continuing to expand our renewables sector, and its wider supply chain is expected to deliver thousands of well-paid, sustainable jobs across Scotland, as well as securing lasting benefits for our communities.

And we are also channelling our subsea engineering expertise, built through decades of oil and gas experience to create new industries, infrastructure and jobs that will power Scotland’s energy transition.

That is why we will do everything in our power to strengthen our energy resilience by accelerating the delivery of wind, solar and pumped storage renewables technologies to ensure a secure and resilient energy system for the future.

It is through international partnerships that we can accelerate that progress and share that expertise.

Which brings me to the recent United Kingdom-India Free Trade Agreement which has created new opportunities to strengthen trade, investment and collaboration between Scotland and India. It provides a platform for businesses to build relationships, to develop new markets and accelerate the technologies that will support our transition to net zero.

With our shared ambition to expand renewables generation, there is strong potential for closer collaboration.

I believe there are four key areas where Scotland and India can work together.

Firstly, on offshore wind.

Scotland has developed an extensive ecosystem of expertise. Our developers, ports, engineering companies, technology providers and researchers have experience delivering large-scale offshore wind projects.  

We are keen to share our expertise to help India harness its remarkable offshore wind potential along the Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coastlines.

The second is on grid technologies.

As India continues to expand solar and wind capacity at scale, there are opportunities for us to collaborate closely on grid integration, energy storage and system flexibility.

And these are challenges and opportunities that both our countries increasingly share.

The third area of cooperation is on hydrogen.

Scotland and India both recognise the great potential of hydrogen to support decarbonisation projects across our industries, transport and energy systems.

We can help unlock that potential through closer cooperation on technology, research, supply chains, certification and investment.

And fourth, on innovation and skills.

The energy transition requires not only infrastructure and capital, but also the talent to drive innovation and growth.

Scotland's universities, innovation centres and research institutions are keen to deepen their relationships with Indian partners to support the emergence of technologies, skills and workforce that the clean energy economy will require.

But that is not a one-way relationship. I want Scottish businesses to contribute to India’s remarkable renewable energy ambitions, and I want Indian businesses to see Scotland as a place where they can invest, innovate and build long-term partnerships.

Imagine what that partnership could look like in ten years' time.

Offshore wind projects drawing on expertise developed in both Scotland and India.

Researchers working together to advance hydrogen technologies.

Indian manufacturing capability and Scottish innovation helping to bring clean energy technologies to market much faster.

Supply chains creating jobs and opportunities in communities in both of our countries.

And businesses that first met on the exhibition floor here today going on to deliver projects around the world.

That future is conceivable and it is within reach.

In India Our Scottish Development International team is here to make those connections and help businesses turn conversations into commercial partnerships.

So, my message today is simple.

Let us start those conversations.

Find partners.

Think boldly about what we can achieve together.

Because the technologies we need already exist.

The ambition is here in this conference and this exhibition.

And the partnerships we build today can help to shape the energy systems of tomorrow.

By combining India's scale, engineering and manufacturing capabilities with Scotland's expertise, innovation and energy heritage, we can realise that ambition together.

As Tagore recognised, progress comes from action.

The opportunity is clear.

And let us seize that together.

Thank you very much for your participation today.