A Unified Policy Architecture for India's Energy Future

#GS-3 #Economy #Infrastructure #Energy #Science & Technology #Environment #Climate Change #Sustainable Development

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The **Indian National Science Academy (INSA)** recently released an important policy brief through its **Centre for Science, Technology, Innovation and Policy**.
This policy document proposes a single national framework to move India away from divided sector-specific energy planning.
The framework focuses on four main pillars: **Adequacy**, **Access**, **Affordability**, and **Appropriate Sustainability** to balance growth with safety.

India's installed renewable energy capacity expanded over six times in a decade, growing from **40 GW in 2015** to nearly **260 GW by 2025**.
The policy sets two major targets: reaching complete energy independence by **2047** and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by **2070**.
The national plan supports clean energy goals like the **National Green Hydrogen Mission**, which has a central fund of **₹19,744 crore**.

India's energy governance remains split across different ministries. This makes long-term policy planning difficult.
Rapid industrial growth and urbanization require a coordinated power grid to prevent localized electricity shortages.
India relies heavily on foreign crude oil and natural gas imports. This exposes the domestic economy to international price shocks.
As solar and wind power cross **260 GW**, grid operators must combine variable power generation with strong storage systems.
The nation needs regional transition strategies rather than a rigid approach. This protects fossil-fuel workers while building clean energy options.

The government implemented the **Saubhagya Scheme** to provide electricity connections to nearly all households across the country.
The **Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana** provided clean LPG cooking gas to millions of poor families to reduce indoor air pollution.
India launched the **National Green Hydrogen Mission** to make the country a leading producer and exporter of green hydrogen.
Public sector units established pilot projects like **NTPC's 150 tonnes-per-day Green Urea plant** at **Pudimadaka** to test **CCUS** technology.

Upgrading existing coal plants and power supply distribution lines to handle renewable energy demands heavy financial investment.
Connecting large battery storage systems and hydro power to supply electricity when solar power is offline remains technically difficult.
Creating uniform power sector rules requires close alignment between the central government and financially weak state electricity boards.
Building specialized pipelines to transport captured carbon dioxide or hydrogen gas requires very high upfront spending.
Producing new clean fuels like green hydrogen currently costs much more than using traditional fossil fuels.

India should follow a step-by-step decade plan that strengthens grid networks first before moving into deep industrial expansion.
Heavy industries like steel and cement should connect directly to **Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)** systems.
The country must combine battery units, small hydro projects, and pumped storage to ensure round-the-clock power supply.
The government should build public-private partnerships with international leaders to make solar equipment and electrolyzers locally.
Transition funds and retraining programs must support workers in fossil-fuel sectors to make the transition fair for everyone.

The **INSA** report highlights that India must view its power supply grid as one unified system rather than separate energy markets.
By grounding energy goals in adequacy, access, affordability, and sustainability, India can reduce carbon emissions safely while maintaining economic growth.