Ratul Puri: India's Net Zero Future Depends on Building an Integrated Energy System 

India's clean energy transition has entered a defining decade. Over the past several years, the country has established itself as one of the world's fastest-growing renewable energy markets through consistent policy support, competitive bidding and sustained private sector investment. India has already crossed 280 GW of installed non-fossil fuel capacity and continues to make steady progress towards its target of 500 GW by 2030 and Net Zero by 2070. While expanding renewable energy capacity will remain a national priority, the challenge before the sector is becoming fundamentally different. The country's clean energy ambitions will increasingly depend on an integrated power system that can deliver reliable, affordable and low-carbon electricity at scale.

India's electricity demand is changing both in scale and complexity. Rapid industrialisation, digital infrastructure, electric mobility, urbanisation and the emergence of AI-driven data centres are creating new demand patterns that require uninterrupted, high-quality power. According to the Central Electricity Authority, the country's peak electricity demand is expected to exceed 450 GW by 2032. Meeting this demand while reducing emissions will require a more flexible power system, better connected and capable of balancing generation and consumption in real time. Achieving India's climate and energy goals will require equal emphasis on strengthening power infrastructure and expanding renewable energy capacity.

"India has already demonstrated that it can deploy renewable energy at scale. Going forward, equal attention must be given to the infrastructure that supports it. Generation, storage, transmission and digital grid management must evolve together if clean energy is to meet the growing needs of households, industry and the broader economy. System integration will be the defining factor in achieving India's long-term energy ambitions," says Ratul Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Power.

As renewable energy assumes a larger share of the electricity mix, maintaining grid stability becomes increasingly important. Solar and wind generation are inherently variable, making flexibility an essential requirement for the modern power system. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are emerging as one of the most significant enablers of this transition by storing surplus renewable energy and making it available when demand is highest. Storage also supports frequency regulation, reserve capacity and grid balancing, allowing renewable energy to contribute more effectively to a stable electricity network. As battery technologies continue to mature and costs decline globally, storage is becoming an integral part of electricity infrastructure rather than an optional addition to renewable projects.

Building a stronger transmission network is equally important. India's richest renewable energy resources are often located far from major industrial and urban centres, making transmission investments critical for moving clean electricity efficiently across the country. Expanding Green Energy Corridors, strengthening interstate connectivity and modernising the national grid will reduce congestion, improve power flows and minimise renewable energy curtailment. At the same time, flexible conventional generation will continue to provide balancing support as renewable capacity expands, ensuring that electricity supply remains dependable while newer technologies continue to scale.

"The future of the power sector will not be shaped by any single technology. Renewable energy, storage, transmission, flexible generation and digital technologies each have a distinct role to play. Their collective strength will determine how efficiently India delivers clean, reliable and affordable power," says Ratul Puri.

The transition extends well beyond electricity generation. Heavy industries including steel, cement, fertilisers and refining account for a significant share of India's emissions and require multiple decarbonisation pathways. Green hydrogen has the potential to transform these hard-to-abate sectors by providing a low-carbon alternative for industrial processes where direct electrification remains difficult. At the same time, improving energy efficiency across industries, commercial buildings and transport can significantly reduce pressure on generation and transmission infrastructure while lowering emissions. Combining renewable electricity, storage, cleaner fuels and efficiency measures will create a more balanced and competitive energy system.

India's clean energy transformation also presents a significant economic opportunity. Investments across renewable energy, battery manufacturing, transmission infrastructure, green hydrogen and domestic clean energy supply chains can strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and create high-quality employment across manufacturing, engineering and technology. For developers and investors, the opportunity is also evolving. Customers increasingly seek dependable clean power solutions rather than standalone renewable assets, encouraging greater integration across technologies and long-term infrastructure planning.

"India's energy transition is ultimately an economic transformation. The countries and companies that succeed will be those that can deliver reliable, competitive and low-carbon energy at scale. Building integrated energy systems will strengthen industrial competitiveness, improve energy security and create a foundation for sustained economic growth over the coming decades," says Ratul Puri.

India has shown that it can scale renewable energy with remarkable speed. The country's long-term success will now depend on building a power system where generation, storage, transmission, flexible capacity and emerging low-carbon technologies operate seamlessly together. Such an integrated approach will enable reliable clean electricity at scale while supporting India's climate goals, industrial competitiveness and energy security.

About Ratul Puri:-

Ratul Puri is the Chairman of Hindustan Power, an integrated power generation company with a strong presence in renewable and transitional energy generation. Over the years, Ratul Puri has been involved in the development of large-scale energy infrastructure projects that support India’s growing power requirements and its transition toward cleaner energy sources.