C&I Developers Expected to Add 60-80 GW of Renewable Capacity by 2030: MNRE Secretary

India’s commercial and industrial (C&I) developers are set to play a pivotal role in the country’s renewable energy trajectory, contributing an estimated 60-80 GW of clean energy capacity by 2030, according to Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Speaking at the India Edge Event hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Thursday, he highlighted the growing importance of private sector participation in India’s energy transition.

Expanding Role of the C&I Segment

Sarangi noted that renewable energy adoption through C&I installations has accelerated in recent years, driven by both economic and sustainability goals across industries. “The increasing deployment of RE projects through commercial and industrial developers is a visible trend,” he said, predicting that the segment could deliver up to 80 GW of clean power within the decade.

He added that such contributions will be vital for meeting India’s 2030 renewable energy targets. The swift growth in rooftop solar adoption, particularly across industrial clusters and commercial zones, is also expected to sustain momentum in the coming years.

States Leading India’s Renewable Push

Highlighting regional performance, Sarangi cited Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat as examples of states that have taken proactive steps to integrate renewable projects into their energy mix. “Madhya Pradesh is one of the progressive states in renewable development,” he said, noting that more states now issue customized RE tenders based on local needs and demand projections.

He observed that this trend of state-specific planning marks a shift from centralized policy execution toward regionally adaptive renewable energy strategies. Such an approach, Sarangi remarked, will enhance system flexibility and strengthen India’s overall energy resilience.

Focus on Grid Integration and Battery Storage

While commending the sector’s rapid expansion, Sarangi emphasized that resolving grid integration challenges remains a top priority. “Immediate attention is required to address these issues,” he commented, underscoring the necessity of battery energy storage systems (BESS) within transmission infrastructure to maintain reliability.

Enhancing storage capacity, he noted, will be crucial for balancing variable renewable generation and meeting the country’s rising electricity demand in a sustainable manner.

Boosting Domestic Manufacturing and Supply Chains

Discussing India’s broader energy security goals, Sarangi urged local manufacturers to make greater use of incentives under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to fortify supply chains. He revealed that India’s solar module production capacity has already grown to nearly 140 GW, representing a major leap toward domestic self-reliance.

A resilient manufacturing ecosystem, he said, will not only reduce import dependence but also ensure consistent progress toward clean energy milestones.

Advancing the Green Hydrogen Mission

Turning to the green hydrogen domain, Sarangi pointed out that prices of grey ammonia have risen from USD 450 to USD 550 per tonne, driven partly by currency depreciation. To support the establishment of a viable green hydrogen economy, the government is developing bunkering facilities at key ports under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. These initiatives aim to accelerate infrastructure readiness for hydrogen production and export.

Sarangi concluded by highlighting MNRE’s close collaboration with the Central Transmission Utility (CTU), Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power, and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). The ministry, he said, conducts monthly meetings with solar, wind, and other renewable energy stakeholders to identify challenges early and create a smoother pathway for project execution.