Que: You’ve been at the helm of TERI for nearly four decades. How have you seen its approach to sustainability and clean energy change during your time?

Ans: I have been fortunate to be part of TERI since the beginning of my career when sustainability and climate change were not yet mainstream concerns. From the outset, TERI had the foresight to prioritise these issues. In 1989, we hosted one of the first international conferences on global warming in a developing country. Our Green India 2047 report in 1997 laid out early pathways for sustainable growth—well ahead of its time.

Que: You’ve been at the helm of TERI for nearly four decades. How have you seen its approach to sustainability and clean energy change during your time?

Ans: I have been fortunate to be part of TERI since the beginning of my career when sustainability and climate change were not yet mainstream concerns. From the outset, TERI had the foresight to prioritise these issues. In 1989, we hosted one of the first international conferences on global warming in a developing country. Our Green India 2047 report in 1997 laid out early pathways for sustainable growth—well ahead of its time.

Over the years, I have seen TERI evolve from a research-focused organisation centred on energy data to a key player in shaping policy, technology, and implementation. It has grown from being a knowledge institution to influencing national and global dialogues on clean energy and sustainability. Today, it’s clear that TERI recognises energy not just as a technical sector, but as something intricately connected to social equity and economic resilience.

Sustainable Energy Development is no longer simply about efficiency or innovation; it’s a foundational element of the Sustainable Development Goals. It’s about ensuring that access, affordability, and environmental integrity go hand in hand. We all see that climate change is no longer a distant risk, it’s a lived reality. While many developed nations accelerate their clean energy transitions, developing countries still struggle with energy access. If they follow fossil-fuel-heavy development paths, emissions will spike. The opportunity lies in enabling a just transition—leapfrogging to clean energy without compromising development goals.

I believe that TERI’s current role is to help make that leap possible through thought leadership, policy support, and scalable solutions that bridge climate action with development priorities, in India and globally.

Que: India has set ambitious clean energy goals, like reaching 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. How do you think the country is doing in reaching these targets?

Ans: From what I have seen, India’s clean energy transition is not just ambitious, it’s steadily gaining ground. The country’s pledge to reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, announced at COP26, seemed bold at the time, but recent progress has been impressive. By early 2025, over 223 GW of non-fossil capacity is already in place, including 103 GW of solar and nearly 50 GW of wind. What’s encouraging is that bids for another 169 GW are already underway, and strong policy direction as per the recent statements by Union leadership reaffirm India’s commitment that India is quite on track and continues to drive momentum.

I have also noticed how India’s revised NDCs go beyond earlier expectations, targeting a 45 percent reduction in emissions intensity and 50 percent non-fossil capacity by 2030. Ground-level initiatives like promoting decentralised solar, boosting wind, scaling up storage, and expanding domestic manufacturing under Aatmanirbhar Bharat all signal that this transition is more than a target—it’s a national shift in mindset.

India’s clean energy story today is one of commitment, scale, and long-term vision; and it’s heartening to witness this leadership in action.

Que: What do you see as the biggest hurdles facing India in transitioning to renewable energy, and how can policy and new ideas help tackle these issues?

Ans: India’s transition to renewable energy is both urgent and inevitable, but I have seen first-hand that the road is not without hurdles. Inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, and the need for stronger investment – both domestic and global – remain key challenges. DISCOM inefficiencies, high AT&C losses, and payment delays to RE generators continue to shake investor confidence.

We also need to manage land-use conflicts and ecological concerns with inclusive, transparent approaches. Stronger RPO enforcement, timely payments, reduced AT&C losses, and clear regulatory pathways are vital. From my perspective, credible governance and consistent policy signals will be crucial in unlocking private capital. With the right interventions, I believe India can, and will, lead the global renewable transition.

Que: With a focus on AI and real-time energy monitoring, how is TERI bringing digital changes into its work on energy transition?

Ans: TERI is actively working on digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), to support and accelerate the energy transition. The Institute is working on developing AI/ML-based analytics for real-time energy monitoring, demand forecasting, and renewable energy integration. These digital tools are being applied in areas such as battery energy storage systems, and grid impact assessments, enabling smarter decision-making and operational efficiency.

One notable initiative includes the implementation of a digital twin application for the low-voltage (LV) distribution network in the BRPL license area of Delhi. In the Indian DISCOM context, where real-time visibility into power flows across feeders, distribution transformers (DTs), and LV networks is often limited, this project showcased how digital twin technology can effectively bridge that gap. The cloud-based digital twin system integrated real-time data from field measuring devices with historical datasets, enhanced through AI/ML algorithms.

Additionally, TERI has worked on load forecasting at the DT level to support optimal BESS dispatch using AI/ML. The Institute is also actively exploring emerging AI/ML applications in the power sector, such as electricity demand and price forecasting, renewable energy generation forecasting, fault detection, and predictive maintenance of critical assets.

Through these efforts, TERI is embedding digital intelligence into the power sector to enhance operational efficiency, flexibility, and resilience in India’s evolving energy landscape.

Que: How important is it for voices from the Global South, particularly India, to be heard in global discussions on renewable energy and climate action?

Ans: In my experience, voices from the Global South are vital to shaping a fair and inclusive global climate agenda, one that reflects the lived realities of development and energy access for billions. India, in particular, plays a unique and credible role. As both a developing nation and a rising economic power, India brings balance to global climate discourse. Its ambitious 2030 target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity is matched by a consistent push for climate equity, technology transfer, and sustainable finance. I have seen how, during its G20 Presidency, India gave substance to ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, led the African Union’s G20 inclusion, and advanced initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance. Through the Global Development Compact, India continues to prioritise investment, technology, and trade. India’s voice isn’t just important; it is shaping the path to a more just and inclusive energy transition.

Que: Even with improvements, there are still gender gaps in India's renewable energy field. What changes do you think are necessary to boost women's involvement and leadership in this area?

Ans: Despite progress, women remain significantly underrepresented in India’s renewable energy sector, just 11 percent of the workforce, compared to the global average of 32 percent. Yet, I strongly believe their leadership can be transformative. Women are often the most affected by energy access gaps, so their inclusion is essential for equitable solutions. At COP29, Gender Day rightly highlighted the urgency of women-led climate action. Unlocking this potential through access to finance, efficient technologies, and livelihood opportunities could contribute nearly USD 3 trillion to India’s economy and fast-track a just energy transition.

Advancing gender equity in clean energy requires a multi-pronged approach. In my experience, inclusive hiring, gender-responsive workplaces, and better representation in leadership make a tangible difference. Private sector efforts must be complemented by gender risk assessments to identify and overcome systemic barriers. On the ground, large-scale skilling in STEM fields is critical, given the sector’s technical nature. Government schemes like the Women’s Empowerment Scheme and solar subsidies for women-led installations are important enablers. When women participate in decision-making, they bring valuable perspectives that strengthen clean energy policy. Ensuring gender equity isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic imperative for India’s sustainable energy future.

At TERI, we remain committed to mentoring and empowering the next generation of women leaders who will shape India’s energy future.