India’s renewable energy ecosystem is on the verge of major structural change, driven by rapid advances in energy storage and green hydrogen. According to Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-Founder and Chairperson for Sustainability at ReNew Energy, storage technologies are already proving to be a game changer in addressing intermittency and enabling renewables to deliver firm and dispatchable power. She noted that hybrid projects and battery-backed solutions are increasingly capable of providing four or more hours of reliable supply, a capability that will be vital as industrial and commercial electricity demand continues to rise.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission’s target of producing five million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, supported by dedicated renewable capacity, is expected to sharply reduce costs. As electrolyser manufacturing scales and renewable energy becomes more competitive, Ms Sinha believes green hydrogen will evolve into a central pillar of India’s clean energy strategy.

Baseload renewables, grid stability and investment needs

Ms Sinha said storage and green hydrogen together will shift renewables from being viewed as intermittent to becoming credible baseload alternatives capable of delivering round-the-clock clean power. This transition will enhance grid stability, improve energy security and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in clean energy manufacturing and exports.

She noted that India’s goal of installing 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 will require an investment of around ₹30 lakh crore. This capital is expected to be mobilised through green bonds, blended finance mechanisms and multilateral participation, supported by growing interest from global investors seeking long-term returns in the renewable sector. Financing momentum is also increasing for hybrid and storage-backed projects that reduce risk and improve bankability, especially for industrial and commercial consumers seeking 24x7 clean power.

From a grid-integration standpoint, Ms Sinha highlighted the need for significant investments in green energy corridors, transmission upgrades and battery storage systems. She said tools such as time-of-day tariffs, round-the-clock power contracts and demand flexibility mechanisms will be essential for absorbing large volumes of renewable energy while limiting curtailment.

ReNew, which entered solar manufacturing in 2023 and has expanded its module and cell capacity over the past two years, is now preparing to enter wafer manufacturing. In Andhra Pradesh, the company plans to set up a 6 GW PV ingot and wafer facility alongside other clean energy initiatives.

Source: 

https://www.thehindu.com/business/energy-storage-green-hydrogen-to-fundamentally-reshape-indias-renewable-energy-ecosystem/article70443998.ece