NEW DELHI: India’s transition to renewable energy is rapidly emerging as a key driver of industrial competitiveness, energy security, and economic growth, according to policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders who gathered at a conference on “Renewable Energy Transition for Commercial & Industrial Consumers in the Northern Region” in New Delhi.
The conference, organized by in partnership with , focused on accelerating the adoption of clean energy among commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers while ensuring affordability, reliability, and sustainability.
Addressing the gathering, , Chairperson of the , highlighted India’s remarkable renewable energy expansion. He noted that the country has already crossed the milestone of adding more than 50 GW of renewable energy capacity annually and is on track to achieve 60–70 GW additions each year in the near future.
Prasad stressed that the next challenge lies in ensuring grid readiness, reliable integration, and seamless connectivity for renewable projects. He emphasized the need for a balanced framework that provides affordable green power to industries while maintaining the financial health of distribution companies (discoms), describing both objectives as vital to India’s long-term growth.
Speaking on behalf of the regulatory sector, , Chief (Regulatory Affairs) at the , said commercial and industrial consumers account for nearly half of India’s electricity consumption and therefore play a critical role in the nation’s clean energy journey.
Chatterjee pointed out that the energy transition extends beyond renewable generation alone. He underscored the importance of demand response mechanisms, energy efficiency measures, distributed energy resources, and virtual power plants in building a flexible and resilient power system. He added that combining renewable energy with storage technologies and flexible resources would be crucial to managing intermittency while preserving grid stability and affordability.
Providing an industry perspective, , Founder, CEO and Managing Director of AMPIN Energy Transition, described India’s renewable energy shift as irreversible, driven by economics, supportive policies, and energy security needs.
He said renewable energy offers India a historic opportunity to move from energy dependence to energy leadership. According to Bhattacharyya, industrial and commercial consumers are already benefiting from the transition, with many reporting energy cost savings ranging between 20 and 40 percent through the adoption of green power solutions.
Delivering the keynote address, , former Secretary of the , said India has moved beyond proving the viability of renewable energy and is now focused on integrating it at scale into the country’s industrial and power ecosystem.
Bhalla said the broader goal is not simply generating clean energy but achieving “green growth,” where sustainability, affordability, reliability, and energy security advance together. He noted that India’s large domestic market, policy commitment, and growing renewable ecosystem place the country in a strong position to achieve this balance.
Representing state-level efforts, from the Power Department of the highlighted reforms introduced by Punjab to encourage renewable energy adoption. These include simplified rooftop solar approvals, virtual net metering, and increased renewable energy limits for consumers and industries.
Meanwhile, , CEO of , said India’s renewable energy transition must remain both consumer-centric and grid-centric. He emphasized that future growth would depend on integrating advanced technologies, sustainable business models, and robust policies while strengthening energy storage, ancillary services, distributed resources, and smart-grid planning.
A panel discussion on balancing energy transition goals with policy implementation also highlighted the importance of maintaining the financial viability of renewable developers, consumers, and distribution companies. Former Chairman of the , , said a successful transition requires an ecosystem that supports all stakeholders equally.
In a video message, , CMD of , noted that commercial and industrial consumers account for more than half of India’s electricity consumption, making them a crucial force in achieving the nation’s renewable energy targets. He also highlighted Rajasthan’s efforts to promote renewable adoption through simplified approvals and storage-linked incentives.
The conference concluded with discussions on innovative procurement models, policy incentives, emerging technologies, and practical strategies to help industries achieve sustainability goals and accelerate renewable energy adoption across northern India. Participants agreed that the commercial and industrial sector will play a pivotal role in powering India’s next phase of green growth.
