India’s ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity by 2030 can be easily attained if the country is able to invest in revamping and expanding power transmission infrastructure, and if land-related responsibilities are handled well by governments, said Pinaki Bhattacharyya, co-chair, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Renewable Energy CEOs Committee, and founder, CEO and managing director, AMPIN Energy Transition.
He was speaking at a seminar on Renewable Energy Transition for Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Consumers in the Southern Region, held by FICCI and AMPIN Energy Transition, in collaboration with Deloitte & Sumitomo Corporation, here on Wednesday.
Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority, Government of India, said, “India is going through a transformative energy transition, and the Central Electricity Authority is committed to guiding this monumental shift towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. We’re committed to grid reliability, seamless renewable integration, and strategic storage deployment, creating an enabling environment for all stakeholders to accelerate India’s sustainable, energy-secure future.”
During his opening address, Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, Government of Karnataka, said, the State was proud to lead the country’s renewable energy transition, with over 70% of its installed capacity already sourced from green power.
“We recognise the immense potential of the C&I sector to accelerate our green transition. The sector is a crucial partner in this journey, and our State policies are meticulously designed to empower C&I customers to embrace renewables through open access and innovative solutions,” he added.
Karnataka’s strategic foresight, encapsulated in its comprehensive resource adequacy plan, provided a robust 10-year blueprint to meet future demand, and double its installed renewable energy capacity by 2030, said Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Managing Director, Karnataka Power Transmission Company Limited (KPTCL).
He said that the KPTCL was proactively building the electrical highways of tomorrow, including high-voltage 765 KV substations, to seamlessly deliver clean power from generation hubs to demand centres.
Mr. Pandey also said, “Simultaneously, we are making significant investments in Battery Energy Storage Systems and Pumped Storage Projects to ensure grid stability and round-the-clock availability of green power.’‘
This strategic integration of generation, transmission, and storage ensures that Karnataka remains a competitive and attractive destination for industries, offering reliable, affordable, and sustainable power, he added.
The event brought together a diverse group of industry leaders, policymakers, and C&I consumers to discuss the roadmap to achieve 100% RE for C&I consumers in South India.
The seminar underscored the growing momentum for energy transition from fossil fuels to sustainable renewables, with a particular focus on the critical role of the Commercial and Industrial segment. Accounting for over 50% of the nation’s electricity consumption, the C&I sector was highlighted as a key driver in achieving a structural shift towards clean power across India, according to industry players.
Published – August 13, 2025 11:44 pm IST
