The fifth edition of the Mercom India Renewables Summit concluded recently at the Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, drawing significant participation from across India’s clean energy space. The two-day gathering brought together key stakeholders for discussions centered on policy frameworks, innovation trends, infrastructure development, and investment strategies to accelerate the renewable energy transition.
For the first time, the Summit featured an Expo Hall, where top clean tech brands and innovators showcased new products and solutions—reflecting the growing strength of India’s homegrown renewable ecosystem. In his keynote, Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group, underscored the urgency for India to define a clear vision for renewables beyond 2030. “Without a long-term goal, it’s difficult for developers, manufacturers, and investors to plan. We need clarity on the future demand landscape,” he emphasized, urging policymakers to provide long-term policy guidance that would ensure investor confidence and strategic capital allocation.
India has reached a significant milestone on its clean energy journey, with non-fossil fuel sources now accounting for half of the country’s installed power capacity. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, shared that this achievement marks an important step toward meeting the national goal of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030. This halfway mark demonstrates both momentum and intent in India’s energy transition.
To maintain this progress, experts underscored the need to upgrade the national grid, enhance energy storage infrastructure, and streamline regulatory approvals. These improvements are essential for scaling up renewable energy deployment across solar, wind, and hybrid project formats. Simplifying bureaucratic processes and accelerating timelines were highlighted as key enablers for faster implementation.
The discussion also emphasized the importance of local manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports. Beyond solar modules, attention is now turning to strengthening domestic production of critical components such as solar glass, junction boxes, and mounting structures. According to Sunil Sharma, Director (NRE RCM), Ministry of Power, promoting homegrown R&D and innovation will be vital to building a resilient, self-sufficient supply chain.
As the energy landscape evolves, hybrid systems are becoming increasingly attractive to developers, particularly those serving the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment. Industries like data centers are now driving more demand than traditional sectors such as steel. With an estimated 25 GWh of battery storage capacity expected in the next two years, hybrid energy models are gaining widespread adoption.
Storage technologies and green hydrogen are emerging as key frontiers in India’s energy strategy. Batteries are now seen as vital infrastructure—not only for managing peak demand but also for ensuring grid stability and energy access. Meanwhile, strategic planning is underway for developing green hydrogen production hubs, particularly along India’s western coastline, signaling a shift toward deep decarbonization.
Finally, the success of this transition depends heavily on a skilled workforce. Industry leaders consistently pointed to the need for targeted training programs and upskilling initiatives. Raj Prabhu noted that workforce development could boost sectoral growth by 10–20%, while Simarpreet Singh of Hartek Group emphasized that nurturing talent is critical to unlocking the next phase of India’s clean energy expansion.
The Summit also hosted the Mercom India Awards, with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Raj Prabhu presenting honors across 13 categories. These awards celebrated the achievements of organizations contributing meaningfully to India’s clean energy transition. Enlog, a startup offering AI-based energy management and IoT solutions, was announced as the winner of Mercom’s third startup pitch competition, held during the Summit.
The event was powered by Hartek Group as Title Partner and Emmvee Group as Platinum Partner. Gold Partners included Howden, Enrich Energy, Engie, Envision Energy, Saatvik, Soleos Solar, Dashtech, Sunsure, Enfinity, Vikram Solar, Loom Solar, and JSW Steel. Panel sessions were backed by GameChange Solar, Ciel & Terre, SKV Law Offices, and Rays Power Infra. Institutional supporters included the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), Renewable Energy Society of India (RESI), and the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA).
Mercom India, headquartered in Bangalore, provides clean energy market intelligence, media coverage, and strategic communications. As a subsidiary of Mercom Capital Group, it plays a key role in informing and shaping India’s renewable energy ecosystem through data-driven insights and in-depth sector analysis.
