This paper is the result of a collaborative effort between Greenpeace, the European Renewal Energy Council and the Global Wind Energy Council. It presents a roadmap to attain a sustainable energy sector in India that ensures continued high economic growth. The paper argues that India’s increasing energy demand must be met through renewable technologies, which will also lead to numerous other social and economic benefits (in employment, health, energy security etc).Beginning with an introduction to the central concepts and processes, the paper goes on to discuss the key principles of the energy [r]evolution concept, including respecting the natural limits of fossil fuels, ensuring equity, decoupling growth from fossil fuel use and phasing out dirty energy. Using empirical data throughout, the study looks at implementation issues (including finance), various aspects of India's energy sector (including a chapter on the effects on employment), as well as past and current market developments.The paper urges for the implementation of the following policy recommendations in the energy sector:

a target of 20 per cent renewable energy in the national grid by 2020
each state should have tailored, mandatory targets with stringent compliance mechanisms
top-down finance and bottom-up infrastructure should be enabled for rural electrification
recognise decentralised grid and off-grid renewable energy as the preferred option in all government policies
decisions on permanently closing specific forests to mining should be conducted transparently through public consultation
increase public investment in research and development to spur innovation
existing environment clearances for coal-based power plants should be re-examined on the basis of cumulative water impact
a Renewable Energy Collateral fund should be established for significant deployment of renewable energy
lending to the renewable energy sector should be prioritised, both through nationalised banks and government financial institutions
the latest technology available must be utilised in monitoring and managing energy, e.g. smart meters at the consumer level.