New Delhi: India's renewable energy additions must be matched by investment in transmission, grid flexibility and storage if the electricity generated is to reach consumers, Hindustan Power Chairman Ratul Puri said on Thursday. "Renewable energy growth must be supported by the infrastructure required to absorb and deliver power efficiently. The focus has to move from capacity creation to effective power delivery," Puri said.
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The statement said India added more than 54 GW of renewable energy capacity between April 2025 and March 2026. It did not identify the source of the figure.
Citing data from the energy think tank Ember, the statement said India curtailed around 300 GWh of renewable energy in the first quarter of 2026 because of transmission constraints. It said renewable-rich states with high solar and wind potential require transmission systems capable of moving that electricity to demand centres.
The statement said India added 52,537 MW of generation capacity across all sources during 2025-26 up to January 31, 2026, of which renewable energy accounted for 39,657 MW, including 34,955 MW of solar and 4,613 MW of wind.
"Capacity addition is a significant step forward, but the value of renewable energy depends on how effectively it can be integrated into the grid and delivered to consumers," Puri said.
Solar and wind output varies with weather and the time of day, with solar generation peaking during daylight while demand often rises in the evening as solar output declines. Managing this variation required stronger transmission networks, forecasting systems, flexible generation and storage, said Puri.
According to an analysis by Ember, India curtailed 2.3 TWh of solar power between May and December 2025 amid difficulties in managing higher daytime solar generation and limited grid flexibility. It said that amount could have supplied nearly 400,000 households for a year.
"Renewable energy requires a complete ecosystem. Transmission, storage and grid management solutions have to progress alongside generation capacity to create a reliable and efficient electricity system," Puri added.
Puri said battery energy storage systems (BESS) could capture surplus renewable electricity during periods of high generation and supply it during periods of higher demand, and that pumped hydro storage and other flexibility solutions would support the transition. He linked rising electricity consumption to industrial growth, transport electrification and the expansion of digital infrastructure.
"Storage will be an important part of India's renewable energy journey. It will help bridge the gap between renewable generation patterns and consumer demand, enabling cleaner and more reliable power supply," Puri said.
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"India's energy transition will be shaped by how effectively we connect generation, transmission, storage and consumption. A reliable power system will be the foundation for sustainable economic growth," Puri said.
