When deliberating the creation of an energy-secure India, the narrative often revolves around two contrasting factors. The first is the country’s traditional dependence on coal, while the second concerns its ambitious drive for clean, renewable energy. But for a burgeoning nation of more than 1.4 billion people, we need a nuanced approach that maintains a fine balance between economic growth and India’s global climate commitments.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries across the world, from healthcare and manufacturing to financial services and logistics. Its impact on the energy sector, however, could be one of the most significant. While AI is expected to increase electricity demand through the rapid growth of data centres and digital infrastructure, it also offers an opportunity to make power systems more efficient, reliable and responsive. According to Ratul Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Power, AI should be seen not only as a driver of electricity demand but also as a technology that can improve the way energy is generated, managed and delivered.
India’s energy transition is entering a new phase where the focus is shifting from adding renewable capacity alone to building a more integrated, reliable and flexible power ecosystem. As electricity demand rises across industries, mobility, manufacturing, digital infrastructure and data centres, the ability to deliver power consistently and efficiently will become as important as generation capacity itself.
India’s renewable energy sector has entered a new phase of growth. Over the past decade, the country has made significant progress in expanding solar and wind capacity, strengthening its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy markets. However, as renewable capacity continues to increase, greater emphasis needs to be placed on building an energy system that can efficiently transmit, store and deliver electricity.
Record-breaking bids and increasing investments helped bring renewable energy into the mainstream.