Solar Sector Will Be Cornerstone of Clean Energy Transition

Chief executive, NTPC Green Energy (NGEL), Rajiv Gupta, tells Aditi Ray Chowdhury that India is poised to be a global leader in solar manufacturing and energy storage. Edited excerpts

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India has crossed the 100GW solar capacity milestone. What is the impact of this transition on green energy targets?

Reaching 100GW of solar capacity is a significant achievement for India and a testament to the country's commitment to clean energy. As a renewable energy developer, we see this as a catalyst for innovation, investment and large-scale deployment of next-generation energy solutions and optimising grid management for a more resilient power sector.

This milestone not only strengthens India's energy security by reducing dependence on fossil fuels but also accelerates the shift towards green manufacturing and industrial sustainability.

NGEL is committed to playing its role in helping the country achieve its clean energy transition targets by developing 60GW of RE [renewable energy] capacity by 2032.

What are your biggest takeaways in terms of policy support, technological advancements and market dynamics?

India's renewable energy sector has benefited from strong policy support, including the PLI [production-linked incentive] scheme for solar manufacturing, the Green Hydrogen Mission and initiatives like PM-Kusum.

Technological advancements in the sector such as AI-driven forecasting, new technologies in solar PV [photovoltaic] modules and battery storage have resulted in improved efficiency of renewable plants. As more and more solar is integrated in the grid, we are seeing a shift in market dynamics from 'vanilla solar' tenders to round-the-clock RE and solar-plus-BESS [battery energy storage system] tenders.