Que: The ongoing Western Asia conflict has highlighted the growing need for self-reliance and diversification. How can India diversify its energy mix and ensure energy security? What role will bioenergy play in this?

Ans: India’s energy security will require diversification across energy sources and the development of sectors that help in meeting the country’s long-term energy needs. Even before the disruption in the supply of petroleum products due to the Western Asia conflict, India had created a robust roadmap for energy diversification, and government policies are promoting solar, wind, and nuclear energy, which will help the country achieve its zero-carbon emissions target.

For SunBridge, solar power and ethanol represent two complementary areas within this transition. Solar power addresses India’s growing electricity requirements and transition to renewable power, while ethanol helps reduce dependence on imported fuel sources, which are also environmentally unfriendly. SunBridge’s decision to participate in both sectors is based on its assessment of what India will require over the next 10–15 years and its broader philosophy of building businesses around areas important to the country’s future.

Que: The West Asia conflict has also disrupted the pace of RE projects, with MNRE advising a 2-4 months’ extension in SCOD. Will the relief measure be enough?

Ans: The West Asia conflict is viewed as a formal war, and MNRE has allowed implementation agencies and state and union territory authorities to consider activating the Force Majeure clause. This has been allowed as the West Asia conflict has impacted the supply chain, resulting in cost and supply time increases. It is a positive move that will help renewable energy companies commission renewable energy farms within the stipulated and extended time period. This will also provide predictability for the activation of PPAs for power supply. We hope the supply chain crisis arising out of the West Asia conflict will be resolved; the proposed 2-4 months’ extension of implementation timelines will soon be sufficient.

I am confident that MNRE is keeping a close eye on the impact of the West Asia conflict and will take appropriate decisions from time to time, keeping the interests of all parties in mind.

Que: Although RE is touted as a solution to reduce external dependencies, upstream components for both solar panels and BESS containers are imported. How can we become truly self-reliant?

Ans: India’s transition to renewable energy also needs stronger domestic capabilities across the renewable energy value chain. Building manufacturing capacity will require a long-term approach, with adequate investment and continued development of domestic capabilities. The ALMM List – II has further spurred the creation of the manufacturing infrastructure needed for fully integrated domestic solar module manufacturing in India. Through an appropriate policy framework, the MNRE is gradually nudging India toward a fully domestic renewable power equipment manufacturing and power production ecosystem. For SunBridge, the broader principle is to build businesses around areas that address India’s long-term requirements and contribute to a more resilient energy ecosystem.

Que: Another challenge in strengthening domestic manufacturing is rising project costs and slower deployment while sufficient capacity is being built. Experts expect solar project costs to jump by around 20 percent in the next 6-8 months due to domestic cell r

Ans: Strengthening domestic manufacturing and continuing renewable energy deployment need to progress together. While building domestic capacity may create cost pressures during the transition, developing a stronger domestic ecosystem is important for the long-term resilience of the renewable energy sector. At the same time, project viability and the pace of capacity addition need to be maintained.

A balanced and phased approach to building manufacturing capacity can help address both priorities. The MNRE has a vision and implementation roadmap to build robust domestic renewable power generation in India. This will require the Government and the private players to work hand in hand.

While the implementation may sometimes result in a mismatch between policy and manufacturing infrastructure, I am confident it will be short-term. India is on its way to becoming a renewable energy superpower over the next decade.

Que: From vanilla solar, the demand is clearly moving towards hybrid and round-the-clock renewable energy. What role will BESS and smart grids play in ensuring a reliable supply as RE penetration increases?

Ans: As renewable energy becomes a larger part of India’s energy mix, the ability to manage and utilise renewable power effectively will become increasingly important. Technologies and infrastructure that support better integration of renewable generation can play an important role in ensuring that the growth of renewable capacity is accompanied by a reliable power supply.

To fully transition from fossil fuel-based power generation to renewable power generation, power storage facilities are needed so renewable power is available even during hours when conditions are not conducive to electricity generation. BESS, along with power production, will become essential in the years to come. SunBridge’s long-term renewable energy ambition reflects its focus on building renewable capacity at scale along with energy storage systems.

Que: How is SunBridge, as a company, poised to attain its 10 GW RE target by 2030 and drive India's transition to renewable energy?

Ans: SunBridge has set a clear ambition to reach 10 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with a focus on Solar energy. The company entered solar after identifying India's growing energy requirements, rising demand for renewable power, and the sector's long-term relevance, as India has year-round access to the sun. It has participated in government tenders and begun developing solar farms, including the 85 MW Uttar Pradesh project and upcoming projects in Madhya Pradesh. We will continue participating in government tenders to expand our capacity and will also be open to the acquisition of existing projects at a later date. Our key differentiation will come from efficient maintenance of our solar farms, so power generation does not decline as they age. In future, we will consider creating power production facilities with BESS to ensure round-the-clock power supply.

Looking ahead, SunBridge also sees significant opportunities beyond conventional solar generation. As India's energy transition evolves, the next phase of renewable growth will increasingly require energy storage and firm, dispatchable renewable power. Accordingly, SunBridge is evaluating opportunities in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and integrated solar-plus-storage projects. These solutions can help address the intermittency of renewable energy and support the delivery of more reliable and potentially round-the-clock clean power. The company will also remain open to emerging opportunities across the broader clean-energy ecosystem, including hybrid renewable projects, energy storage and other technologies that complement its core renewable energy business.

Ultimately, SunBridge's objective is not simply to achieve 10 GW of installed capacity, but to build a high-quality, efficient and sustainable renewable energy platform. By combining disciplined project development, strong execution, technology-driven asset management and selective diversification into emerging energy solutions, SunBridge aims to contribute meaningfully to India's clean-energy transition and long-term energy security.