Addressing Energy Insecurity in India

India faces systemic energy insecurity, largely due to its high dependency on imported crude oil, which makes the nation vulnerable to geopolitical volatilities. This dependency creates economic pressures such as inflation and current account stress but also provides an impetus to redesign India's energy framework.

Renewable Energy Ambitions

• India must amplify its renewable energy goals from the existing target of 500 GW by 2030 to 1,500 GW.
• Comparatively, China added 1,600 GW in clean energy in 2025, while India added 49 GW.
• Strengthen procurement mechanisms by central agencies to contract at least 200 GW annually, backed by state-level procurement.
• Improve grid infrastructure, especially in renewables-rich states, and expand RE management centers.
• Address evacuation bottlenecks, as over 50GW of capacity was stranded last year.
• Promote storage solutions like battery energy storage systems and pumped hydro storage.

Household Energy Consumption

• Shift from LPG to electric induction cooking to reduce import dependence.
• Lower induction cooktop prices through demand aggregation, using the UJALA programme model.
• Utilize the Ujjwala beneficiaries' database for targeted distribution.

Transport Electrification Strategy

• Develop a clear roadmap for full electrification of two-wheelers and three-wheelers by 2030, and buses, cars, and trucks by 2035.
• Restructure the underperforming Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for advanced chemistry cells.
• Expand charging infrastructure across urban and highway networks.

Nuclear Energy as a Backbone

• Scale nuclear power to reach 100 GW by 2047 to ensure a stable grid supply.
• Promote small modular reactors and encourage private sector participation.

Capabilities in Critical Minerals

• Develop domestic processing capabilities and secure global supply chain partnerships.
• Focus on human capital development in mineral processing and manufacturing.

Clean Energy Manufacturing Hub

• Position India as a leader in manufacturing solar modules, batteries, and green hydrogen technologies.
• Enhance export competitiveness and reduce logistic costs.

Financing the Transition

• Deepen India's green finance ecosystem with instruments like green bonds and blended finance structures.
• Ensure policy frameworks like the Solar Energy Corporation of India are applied across sectors.
• Leverage multilateral development banks and global climate funds effectively.

Institutional Coordination and Accountability

• Anchor the energy transition in institutional coordination, similar to past successes in digital infrastructure and financial inclusion.

The current geopolitical turbulence offers India a chance to harness these challenges to shape its energy future, reducing vulnerability to external shocks.