As India strives to attain its Net Zero targets, with a short-term goal of attaining 50% non-fossil fuel energy in its energy mix by 2030, and long-term goal of attaining net-zero emissions by 2070, it is imperative to study the growth of India’s RE landscape and the growth trajectory that lay ahead. As the RE sector has matured over the past ten years, challenges such as expanding transmission and grid infrastructure, regulatory support, land acquisition, and financial constraints have become more prominent, necessitating timely interventions. Keeping the same in mind, Vasudha Foundation, on 24 June, 2025, organised a stakeholder consultation aimed at reflecting the progress made so far and to explore strategic opportunities that can further accelerate the energy transition. The event was kick started by Mr. Srinivas Krishnaswamy, CEO, Vasudha Foundation, who stressed the need to accelerate renewable energy (RE) deployment with sustainability at the core of India’s energy transition. This was followed by Mr. Tanay Tarany, Senior Programme Manager, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, who set the context for this stakeholder consultation, outlining the rationale behind the study, focusing on the 10 high RE potential Indian states and the importance of evaluating RE growth at the state level. Further, Mr. Saksham Goel, Assistant Manager, Vasudha Foundation, gave a brief presentation about the research conducted and the recommendations that the study came out with, to facilitate accelerated adoption of RE in the country. The stakeholder consultation also consisted of 2 panel discussions which focused on technology specific insights and value chain dynamics for different RE technologies, as well as a discussion exploring the potential and progress of energy storage solutions in India’s RE landscape. The panel was chaired by dignitaries from Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Niti Aayog and various RE developers and OEM manufacturers. The main points discussed during the panel discussion are mentioned below:

Session 1: Exploring the Nuances of India’s RE Deployment – Technology-Specific Insights and
Value Chain Dynamics

• Issues pertaining to RE curtailment
• Challenges in policy development and implementation
• Deployment and offtake of Renewable Energy
• Project Pipeline & Challenges faced in Project Financing
• Need of conducive policies and pilot projects for upcoming technologies such as Agri-PV
• Supply Chain Resilience

Session 2: Exploring the Potential and Progress of Energy Storage Solutions in India’s RE Landscape

• Development of Market for Energy Storage, especially for Long Duration Energy Storage
• (LDES)
• Cost Trends & Performance of BESS
• Technical Parameters to be considered as Key Performance Indicators
• Value Stacking Applications for BESS
• Refurbishment of Batteries for Second Life Usage
• Tendering Strategy for BESS as well as role of OEMs in the same
• Localised Manufacturing and Safety Standards to be considered
• Future Recommendations:
  • Design new programs for LDES, including separate VGF.
  • Develop standardisation for alternative chemistries (sodium-ion, redox).
  • Encourage DISCOMs to co-locate BESS and RE systems.
  • Improve tenders to include technology-neutrality and better financial terms.

The event also had a presentation from Ms. Swetha Sundaram, Vice President- Solar and Hybrid BESS
Systems, RWE Clean Energy, who gave us an overview of the evolution of BESS systems, globally and
the way forward for a robust RE ecosystem.