The Global and Indian Energy landscape is undergoing an imperative transition, which has been necessitated by unprecedented global warming and its concomitant obligations. India’s energy mix is primarily dominated by coal, followed by solar, wind and hydro, respectively. Oil and gas, bio power, nuclear, and small hydro together comprise a little over 10% of the energy mix. Nuclear power is also critical for a low-carbon energy future, although it is a nonrenewable source of energy due to its reliance on finite uranium resources. Nuclear energy is often considered a low-carbon energy source due to its minimal greenhouse gas emissions during operation.
But India has to balance growth with the environment. And the need is to balance renewable with non-renewable energy to a 50:50 state by 2030. Reaching that balance requires a multi-pronged approach that includes improving the efficiency of existing coal plants, promoting clean coal technologies, and diversifying coal and nuclear power. These are some of the things we would discuss on our 4th East and North East India Energy Conclave at the Park Hotel Kolkata on 22nd May, 2025.
India is boosting its renewable energy expansion, particularly in solar, wind, hydropower, and green hydrogen. The commercial and industrial sectors, particularly corporate PPAs and rooftop solar, contributed 2,011 MW of renewable capacity in Q3 2024. The Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) in India aims to promote renewable energy adoption. In 2024-25, 29.91 % of the total energy was mandated to come from renewable energy sources. This will gradually rise to 43.33 % in 2029-30. A separate RPO for ‘distributed renewable energy (DRE)’ has been introduced. The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims for 5 MMT production by 2030, supported by INR 19,744 crores in investments and global market export opportunities. But Renewable Energy needs to be stored on production, else power gaps exist in parallel with production loss. Storage is being promoted through the adoption of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) through various policy initiatives, including the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme, the National Framework for Promoting Energy Storage
Systems, and these measures are expected to increase India’s BESS capacity to reach 47.23 GW by 2031-32. These too would come up for discussion on the 4th East and North East India Energy Conclave at the Park Hotel Kolkata on 22nd May, 2025.
And since the Conference is in Eastern India, we must remember that the Eastern region with its vast coastline and mineral deposits, also beacons exploration in the depths of the ocean to explore the mineral wealth in its continental shelf. This exploration in the deep sea to look for minerals, strategic and otherwise, presents a unique opportunity to Industry and Enterprise. We need to explore minerals which can help in Energy Storage and generate Nuclear Power.
The Indian Chamber of Commerce is in the vanguard of holding pan India Energy Conclave and twelve annual electricity distribution awards assessment and four Green Urja and Efficiency Awards to highlight and recognise these sectors of foremost importance in the electricity sector. . The ICC is committed to future technologies, best practices, management and customer satisfaction for enhancing good business amongst its constituents and Indian citizenry. And ICC has made several Policy contributions in the Energy Sector through its National Expert Committee, Chaired by Mr Anil Razdan. To gain deeper insights, we look forward to your active participation in the 4th East and North East India Energy Conclave to be held on May 22, 2025 Pine Hall, The Park Hotel, Kolkata. The Registration can be done through: Ms Sapna Rai- 9804039500 | sapna.rai@indianchamber.net