India's approach to energy security is undergoing a significant transformation, moving beyond simply ensuring access to electricity and fuels. Insights from the BT Infrastructure Summit – Infra India 2047 revealed a new playbook emphasizing clean energy, advanced battery storage, and comprehensive grid modernization as critical components for a resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy ecosystem.
The Evolving Landscape of Energy Security
Shalu Agrawal, Director of Programmes at CEEW, noted that India has largely succeeded in achieving universal energy access. The next phase, she explained, focuses on guaranteeing affordability, reliable supplies, and resilience against global disruptions. Agrawal highlighted that decreasing battery storage costs and increasingly competitive solar and wind power are aligning objectives of affordability and sustainability. However, she stressed the necessity of expanding transmission infrastructure, redesigning power markets, and developing flexible contracting mechanisms to support the accelerating growth of renewable energy capacity.
Strategic Investments and Policy Reforms
Gaurav Gulati, Partner, Energy & Process Industries Practice at Kearney India, underscored India's continued dependence on imported hydrocarbons for years to come. This necessitates strategic storage solutions and robust logistics as essential pillars of energy security. Gulati estimated that modernizing India's transmission network alone could require investments of $15–20 billion over the next decade. He also advocated for greater investment in battery storage, pumped storage projects, and smarter grid planning to integrate rising renewable energy generation effectively while maintaining system reliability. Government initiatives like the PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM schemes have already boosted rooftop solar adoption and strengthened domestic solar manufacturing.
Beyond Fossil vs. Renewable: A Holistic Approach
Dr. Debajit Palit, Centre Head for Climate Change & Energy Transition at Chintan Research Foundation, urged a shift in the energy debate from a simple 'fossil versus renewable' dichotomy to a more nuanced 'electrons wherever possible, molecules wherever necessary' perspective. He advocated for prioritizing the electrification of transport, industry, and other end-uses. Palit suggested a combined strategy utilizing renewable energy, nuclear power, compressed biogas, and storage technologies to gradually reduce import dependence. According to Palit, India's energy transition must focus on decarbonization without disrupting economic growth, supported by stronger policies on storage, demand-side management, microgrids, and the emerging India Energy Stack.
The summit's discussions collectively underscored that India's journey towards comprehensive energy security hinges not only on expanding its renewable capacity but also on building resilient transmission networks, making substantial investments in storage technologies, fostering domestic manufacturing, and creating robust policy frameworks that enable a reliable, flexible, and future-ready energy ecosystem.