Green hydrogen and grid upgrades key to India’s energy future, say Experts at IEW 2025

Industry leaders at India Energy Week 2025 discussed strategies for scaling renewable energy and advancing energy solutions, highlighting challenges in implementation and the need for policy support. The session, “Scaling Renewables and the Advanced Energy Solutions Landscape,” focused on India’s target of 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030 and the role of green hydrogen in energy transition.

Gurdeep Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC, said the company is expanding beyond thermal power to solar and nuclear energy in line with government policies. He stated, “At NTPC, we are clear that hydrogen is the fuel of the future, if not in its pure form, then as its by-products.” He emphasized NTPC’s commitment to transmission infrastructure investment across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh to support renewable expansion.

Sushil Purohit, CEO of Gentari, said India’s renewable energy initiatives serve as a model for Asia-Pacific nations, particularly in solar and wind energy. Amit Singh, CEO of Adani Green Energy, highlighted the need for an indigenous supply chain to reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic manufacturing. He cited Adani’s 20 GW solar and wind project in Gujarat as an example of large-scale deployment.

Rahul Munjal, Chairman and Managing Director of Hero Future Energies, said India ranks third in solar and fourth in wind energy globally. He said that meeting the country’s growing energy demand requires integrating renewables with conventional power sources to ensure energy security.

Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Energy, Government of Karnataka, said land acquisition and connectivity are key hurdles in scaling renewable energy projects. He said advancements in green hydrogen technology are needed to reduce costs and enable widespread adoption.

The discussion also addressed grid integration, with Singh calling for infrastructure upgrades to manage fluctuations in renewable energy supply. He said AI-driven data centers would be located in areas with low-cost renewable energy to ensure sustainable power for emerging technologies.

The industry leaders emphasised the role of innovation, infrastructure, and policy support in accelerating India’s clean energy transition. Singh urged the younger generation to actively participate in energy innovation and policy advocacy to drive the sector forward.