Grid and Battery Boost Needed for India's Clean Energy Goals: ASSOCHAM
ASSOCHAM urges India to invest in grid infrastructure and battery storage to meet climate goals, estimating a USD 2.5 trillion requirement.
As India prepares for the COP31 climate summit in Türkiye, the industry body ASSOCHAM has called for a strategic shift in focus. While the nation has made rapid strides in installing non-fossil fuel-based power, the organization emphasizes that meeting India clean energy goals now requires a massive push toward strengthening electricity grid infrastructure and expanding battery storage capacity.
Beyond Installation: The Need for Viability
In a recent press statement, ASSOCHAM highlighted a critical distinction: installing capacity is not the same as delivering reliable power. The industry body argues that clean energy must be seamlessly connected to the grid, supported by robust storage solutions, and made commercially viable to be truly effective.
Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General of ASSOCHAM, stressed the importance of collaboration, stating that both the government and industry must unite to transform high-level climate commitments into tangible, operational projects.
Surpassing Targets Ahead of Schedule
India's progress in the renewable sector has been nothing short of remarkable. According to data provided by the industry body:
- Non-fossil fuel capacity: Reached 300.5 gigawatts (GW) as of July 2026.
- Recent growth: A record 55.29 GW was added during FY2025-26, with solar power contributing 44.6 GW of that total.
- Target achievement: Non-fossil sources now make up over 54 per cent of India's total installed electricity capacity.
Remarkably, this means India has surpassed its 2030 target of 50 per cent non-fossil capacity five years ahead of the original deadline.
The Trillion-Dollar Challenge
Despite these achievements, the road to 2030 remains capital-intensive. ASSOCHAM estimates that achieving the country's climate goals will require an investment of approximately USD 2.5 trillion.
A significant portion of this focus must be on energy storage to manage the intermittent nature of renewables. Nirmal K Minda, President of ASSOCHAM, pointed out that battery storage requirements are expected to skyrocket from 37 GWh by 2027 to a staggering 236 GWh by 2031-32.
"Strengthening grid infrastructure, storage and commercially viable clean power will be essential to translate installed capacity into reliable electricity," said Nirmal K Minda.
Strategic Roadmap for COP31
To guide this transition, ASSOCHAM is submitting a comprehensive report titled ‘From Pledges to Projects: India's Agenda for COP31’. This document is being directed to the Prime Minister's Office, NITI Aayog, and various climate-action groups.
The report focuses on three primary pillars:
- Mobilizing necessary climate finance.
- Accelerating the process of industrial decarbonisation.
- Translating climate pledges into actual investment and implementation.
To ensure these goals are met, ASSOCHAM plans to launch an Industry Task Force and a Business Climate Investment Agenda, while continuing to engage with various ministries to support the necessary investments for a greener future.