April 08, 2026. By Abha Rustagi
JIRE, aims to contribute to India’s clean energy transition by achieving a total of 5 GW renewable energy capacity target by 2030 with an investment of USD 2.5 billion, said Amit Kumar Mittal, CEO, Jindal India Renewable Energy, in an interview with Abha Rustagi, Associate Editor, Energetica India.
Que: India’s renewable energy sector is witnessing rapid growth. How do you assess the current trajectory of the sector, and what key trends will define the market over the next decade?
Ans: In 2025, India’s renewable energy sector registered impressive growth, with the country’s total installed capacity crossing 250 GW. With this milestone, India has already achieved the 50 per cent non-fossil energy target and is well on its way to meet its ambitious 500 GW goal by 2030. The sector nearly doubled its yearly additions with a record 44.5 GW of renewable capacity added in 2025. With close to 35 MW, solar projects were the main contributor to the sector’s growth, supported by favorable government policies, followed by wind, which registered a capacity increase of almost 6 MW in 2025.
Over the next decade, the sector will continue to see capacity additions in solar and wind energy, as the industry focuses on producing green hydrogen through hybrid systems efficiently and in a cost-effective manner. In addition, we will be witnessing a transition toward hybrid projects, round-the-clock solutions, and storage-backed capacity, as these projects address the energy demand-supply gap and enhance grid stability. Battery Energy Storage Systems will continue to become an integral part of the infrastructure, given their ability to enable peak supply and ensure smoother grid operations.
Que: How do you see the balance evolving between solar, wind, hybrid, and energy storage projects in India’s renewable energy mix?
Ans: Given the current landscape and evolving trends, India’s renewable energy mix will continue to be led by solar and wind, while simultaneously, there will be a sharp increase in energy storage and hybrid projects both in the short and long term. The industry’s focus on creating a reliable energy grid ecosystem without compromising on stability while maintaining cost-efficiency will give a strong boost to round-the-clock and hybrid projects. Focus of renewable energy will change from capacity addition to firm and dispatchable energy.
Que: What additional policy or regulatory measures would you recommend to further strengthen investor confidence and support large-scale renewable energy growth?
Ans: To sustain and shape the sector’s next phase of growth, policy and regulatory reforms need to constantly evolve. The sector is witnessing delays in signing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), while Hybrid projects like FDRE’s are facing hurdles due to complex contract structures. Delay in setting up transmission network in Renewable rich states is also adding to delay in capacity addition. Seamless and affordable project financing in the sector remains another area that needs to be addressed. Giving priority to the renewable sector for lending, lowering the cost of capital, and bringing tax reforms could play a vital role in faster project deployment in the long term. Current geopolitical issues, depreciation of Indian currency will also add to the headwinds to already awarded and under construction projects.
Que: India is increasingly focusing on domestic manufacturing of solar modules, cells, and other renewable energy components. How do you view this push toward self-reliance in the renewable energy value chain?
Ans: The Government has introduced favorable policies and schemes that have created an enabling environment for the sector by reducing dependence on imports and promoting domestic manufacturing. The transformation has been primarily led by Product Linked Incentive schemes, which have strengthened the domestic ecosystem by inviting investments and creating jobs. India’s self-reliance in the renewable energy sector, at this stage, is primarily led by the manufacturing of solar modules and cells. Currently we are at the transitional phase where domestic cell manufacturing capacity is lagging far behind the requirement adding to availability as well cost pressure to developers.
Que: Emerging technologies such as energy storage, green hydrogen, and digital energy management systems are gaining traction. How do you see these technologies shaping the renewable energy sector in India?
Ans: Various developing technologies will play a crucial role in determining the long-term growth trajectory of the renewable sector in India. The industry is on its path to achieve the ambitious target of installing 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and these technologies are expected to further accelerate the sector’s growth. The deployment of these technologies will be instrumental in addressing intermittency and making grid operations economical and efficient. The government’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) is also expected to support India’s clean energy shift while creating 6 lakh jobs, mobilising investments worth INR 8 Lakh crore and making India an export hub for green hydrogen. In addition, the use of AI and IoT-driven digital energy management systems will help in predicting project maintenance and forecasting, thereby increasing efficiency and cutting costs.
Que: Grid integration and intermittency remain key challenges for renewable energy expansion. What technological or operational solutions can help address these issues?
Ans: In India’s renewable push, key challenges like grid integration and intermittency are being addressed by deploying advanced infrastructure and storage solutions that bring grid stability amid rising energy demand. In addition to a dependable transmission infrastructure, BESS and solar-winds hybrid projects that ensure firm power can go a long way in catering to these issues. BESS will play major role in resolving intermittency as well in shifting the day time excessive energy to evening and morning peak hours which is currently facing shortfall. BESS as ancillary service for grid support and stability will also play key role.
Que: Could you share the vision and strategic priorities of Jindal India Renewable Energy as it expands its footprint in the renewable energy sector?
Ans: The BC Jindal Group, led by Shyam Sunder Jindal, Promoter of the BC Jindal Group, through its renewable energy arm, JIRE, aims to contribute to India’s clean energy transition by achieving a total of 5 GW renewable energy capacity target by 2030 with an investment of USD 2.5 billion.
The company forayed into the sector in FY 2025 and has, to date, secured a total of 450 MW of renewable energy projects requiring an investment of around INR 6,500 crore.
JIRE aims to expand its footprint by implementing a mix of solar, wind, hybrid, and Firm & Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) projects. To achieve this, the company is looking at acquiring an operational portfolio in the initial couple of years, which will be funded through a mix of internal accruals and debt. In parallel, its strategy is focused on establishing presence in renewable energy-rich states by developing renewable projects connected to the grid at Central Transmission Utility (CTU) and State Transmission Utility (STU) to meet the energy demands of utilities as well as Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers.
