Sustainable urban power solutions are a necessity for Indian cities

Cities today contribute nearly 60 per cent of the national GDP, acting as engines of economic growth, innovation, and consumption.

- Ujjal Mondal Asst. Manager (Engineering)- REC Ltd.

The swift expansion of urban India is redefining the country's energy landscape. Cities today contribute nearly 60 percent of the national GDP, acting as engines of economic growth, innovation, and consumption. The concentration of population and economic activity has also made urban centres the largest consumers of electricity, thereby placing immense pressure on power infrastructure. Following this pressure, the country pursues its clean energy and net-zero ambitions in which sustainable urban power solutions are emerging as a critical pillar to ensure reliable, efficient, and climate-resilient cities.

Unlocking opportunities

One of the biggest opportunities lies in unlocking the vast rooftop solar potential of Indian cities. Estimates suggest that urban areas alone have nearly 200 GW of untapped rooftop solar capacity. Rooftop solar can reduce dependence on centralised generation while cutting transmission losses by turning consumers into prosumers. Innovations such as virtual net metering now allow apartment complexes to share solar power credits, making renewables more inclusive for dense urban housing. When combined with battery storage through solar-plus-storage microgrids, cities can enhance resilience against peak demand and power outages.