Overview

Ratul Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Power, delivered a press briefing in New Delhi on July 29, 2026, stating that India’s renewable energy sector has entered a new phase of growth but must now prioritize reliable power delivery over mere capacity creation. He emphasized that the success of the energy transition depends on strengthening the entire power ecosystem, including transmission, grid flexibility, and storage solutions.

Capacity Additions

During the fiscal year April 2025 to March 2026, India added more than 54 GW of renewable energy capacity, underscoring the country’s rapid clean‑energy deployment. By January 31 2026, total generation capacity added across all sources reached 52,537 MW, of which renewable sources contributed 39,657 MW—comprising 34,955 MW of solar and 4,613 MW of wind capacity.

Curtailment Issues

Despite the capacity surge, transmission constraints led to significant curtailment. Ember data indicate that around 300 GWh of renewable energy was curtailed in the first quarter of 2026. Additionally, between May and December 2025, India curtailed 2.3 TWh of solar power, an amount that could have supplied electricity to approximately 400,000 households for a full year. These figures highlight the growing gap between generation and delivery capabilities.

Grid Flexibility and Storage

Puri noted that solar and wind generation are variable, with solar peaking during daylight while demand often rises in the evening. Managing this mismatch requires stronger transmission networks, advanced forecasting systems, flexible generation resources, and energy storage technologies. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), pumped hydro storage, and other flexibility solutions are identified as critical enablers to capture surplus generation and supply power during peak demand periods, thereby reducing wastage and enhancing grid stability.

Outlook

The chairman concluded that India’s renewable ambitions will only be realized through an integrated approach that couples generation growth with investments in transmission, storage, and grid management. He asserted that a reliable power system will form the foundation for sustainable economic growth and that improving grid readiness will be increasingly important as renewable capacity continues to expand.