Que: With India’s target of 500 GW of non-fossil energy by 2030, what role do you see AECOM playing in helping the country achieve this goal?

Ans: India’s target of 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 represents an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the country’s energy landscape. At AECOM, we view this goal as both a responsibility and a moment to make a lasting impact. Our global expertise across engineering, infrastructure development, environmental planning, and advisory services places us in a strong position to support India’s journey toward a low-carbon future.

We see our role as multi-dimensional. AECOM brings technical leadership in designing and delivering renewable energy infrastructure, including utility-scale solar parks, onshore and offshore wind farms, pumped hydro energy storage, and hybrid systems that incorporate battery storage and green hydrogen. Our experience in managing complex energy projects worldwide enables us to support India in rapidly scaling its clean energy capacity with efficiency and reliability.

As implementation consultants and owner’s engineers, we also help our clients deliver large-scale projects to international standards, ensuring safety, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, we support central and state governments through our policy and regulatory advisory services, helping shape viable public-private partnership models and unlocking investment potential in the sector.

Finally, we place strong emphasis on environmental and social stewardship. Every renewable energy project must meet strict environmental compliance, biodiversity conservation goals, and ensure community integration. Our expertise in conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and integrating ESG frameworks into projects gives us a strong presence in the local Indian market and enhances the long-term sustainability of the energy transition.

Que: The energy transition involves not just technological innovation but also shifting mindsets across stakeholders. How do you facilitate collaboration between public and private sector entities?

Ans: The energy transition is not just a matter of deploying new technology—it is fundamentally about managing change across institutions, communities, and industries. Aligning the interests of public and private stakeholders requires both a deep understanding of the local regulatory landscape and the ability to foster trust and collaboration.

At AECOM, we see ourselves as a neutral integrator that helps bring transparency, structure, and shared value to partnerships between governments, private developers, financial institutions, and civil society. We enable early consensus-building through structured stakeholder engagement, creating forums for dialogue among ministries, utilities, developers, funders, and communities. This inclusive approach ensures that all voices are heard and that projects are built on a foundation of mutual understanding.

We also work on building institutional capacity. Through technical assistance programs—often supported by international financial institutions—we help utilities and government agencies adopt best practices in areas such as renewable energy integration, procurement strategies, and asset management.

Our use of integrated planning tools allows for joint scenario building and evaluation, aligning policy objectives with the financial expectations of private investors. Moreover, through thought leadership—such as publishing white papers, hosting knowledge-sharing workshops, and contributing to industry panels—we promote innovative, sustainable models for energy development. These efforts help shift mindsets and create an enabling environment for meaningful collaboration.

Que: Renewable energy is often seen as an investment risk due to its relatively high initial CapEx and long-term nature. How does AECOM support clients in mitigating these risks while delivering on sustainability goals?

Ans: We understand that while renewable energy offers long-term environmental and economic benefits, the upfront capital expenditure and evolving policy landscape can pose significant risks for investors. AECOM addresses these concerns by providing holistic, end-to-end support that reduces uncertainty and builds investor confidence.

Our project development approach begins with rigorous feasibility studies and resource assessments. We help clients evaluate the technical and commercial viability of projects from the outset, ensuring that decisions are grounded in robust data and sound analysis. By incorporating resilient, modular designs and accounting for future scalability, we help reduce lifecycle operation and maintenance costs while enhancing overall project reliability.

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are embedded throughout the project lifecycle. From site selection to commissioning, we ensure that sustainability goals are fully integrated into project planning, making assets more attractive to green investors, development finance institutions, and ESG-focused funds.

In addition, we use advanced digital tools such as real-time monitoring systems and digital twins to provide continuous oversight and optimise asset performance. These tools help our clients manage risk proactively, improve carbon tracking, and stay within budget, all while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability outcomes.

Que: How do you see the future of hybrid systems, energy storage, and flexible demand response playing a role in India’s energy grid modernisation?

Ans: India’s future grid must be not only robust and reliable but also smart, flexible, and decarbonised. The increasing share of variable renewable energy in the power mix necessitates innovations in grid design and operation. Hybrid systems, battery energy storage, and demand response technologies will be central to this transformation.

Hybrid systems that combine solar, wind, and storage technologies are especially promising in regions with complementary renewable resources. AECOM is working with clients to design and implement such systems, which improve plant load factors, enhance grid stability, and extend asset life. These integrated systems make better use of available infrastructure and land, resulting in more efficient project outcomes.

Energy storage—through technologies such as battery energy storage systems (BESS) and pumped hydro—is essential to balancing supply and demand and managing the intermittency of renewables. We offer comprehensive support in evaluating storage options, optimising project locations, and ensuring seamless integration with grid infrastructure.

Flexible demand response mechanisms also play a key role. AECOM draws on its global expertise in smart grid technologies and urban resilience planning to design demand-side management programs that align consumer behavior with grid needs. This helps reduce peak loads and curtailment, ensuring a more stable and responsive energy system.

Through our involvement in digital grid modernisation efforts around the world, we bring cutting-edge innovations to India’s energy transition, tailored to local needs and aligned with national programs such as RDSS and the Green Energy Corridor.

Que: Solar tariffs have reduced significantly over the past few years. How do you see the role of policy, innovation, and market forces in continuing this trend?

Ans: India’s solar energy sector has undergone a remarkable transformation, with tariffs declining significantly in recent years. This progress has been driven by a combination of proactive government policies, global supply chain efficiencies, innovation, and competitive bidding mechanisms. To sustain this trend, a continued focus on policy clarity, technological advancement, and market maturity is essential.

Policy support will remain central to the sector’s success. Transparent bidding processes, guaranteed power offtake arrangements through agencies such as SECI, and rationalised taxation—particularly GST on renewables—will help maintain investor confidence. Support for domestic manufacturing through initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme must be carefully balanced to ensure international competitiveness.

Innovation will also be key. Technologies such as bifacial solar panels, floating solar installations, and AI-based tracking systems offer pathways to further reduce the levelised cost of electricity. AECOM supports clients in assessing and adopting these technologies through pilot programs, feasibility studies, and technical due diligence.

Finally, evolving market forces—particularly the global shift toward ESG-focused investment—are increasingly influencing capital flows. Projects that demonstrate environmental responsibility, robust governance, and commercial viability are more likely to attract green finance. AECOM’s role is to ensure that these projects are bankable, resilient, and operationally optimised from day one.

Que: In your view, what are the critical elements of a successful energy transition, especially in a country like India, where balancing energy affordability, security, and decarbonisation is key?

Ans: India’s energy transition must address the fundamental challenge of balancing affordability, energy security, and sustainability—often referred to as the “energy trilemma.” Achieving this balance requires a multi-dimensional, integrated approach that considers technical, economic, and social dimensions.

Integrated planning is crucial. National and state energy plans must take into account land availability, water resources, and social impact to ensure that projects are inclusive, sustainable, and viable in the long term. Planning must also be aligned with industrial development and climate resilience strategies.

Investments in energy infrastructure are equally important. India will need significant upgrades in transmission capacity, grid flexibility, and digital monitoring systems to accommodate large-scale renewable integration. AECOM contributes to this effort by supporting the planning and implementation of resilient and future-ready energy infrastructure.

A stable and coherent policy environment is vital for attracting long-term investment. Clear regulatory frameworks, consistent roadmaps, and effective coordination across government agencies can help de-risk projects and attract both domestic and international capital.

An inclusive energy transition must also address the needs of communities that may be affected by the shift away from fossil fuels. Special attention is needed to create new opportunities for workers, MSMEs, and vulnerable populations through skills training, livelihood diversification, and community development programs.

Finally, behavioral change at the grassroots level will play a pivotal role. Awareness campaigns that promote rooftop solar, energy efficiency, and sustainable mobility will help foster a culture of sustainability. AECOM’s cross-sectoral experience in environment, water, and urban development enables us to deliver integrated solutions that address these interconnected challenges.

Que: Looking ahead, what are your key priorities for AECOM India’s Environment, Water, and Energy business over the next 5–10 years?

Ans: Over the next decade, AECOM India’s Environment, Water, and Energy (EWE) business aims to be a driving force in enabling sustainable infrastructure development. Our top priority is to support India’s clean energy ambitions by scaling our involvement in renewable energy projects, grid modernisation, and energy storage systems. We are deepening our technical capabilities in hybrid energy solutions, BESS, and digital grid architecture to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

In parallel, we are helping public and private sector stakeholders develop decarbonisation strategies, circular economy models, and net-zero pathways. By integrating climate mitigation and adaptation goals into project design, we ensure that sustainability is embedded from the start.

We also recognise that water security and climate resilience are critical to India’s future. That’s why we are working to incorporate these priorities into urban planning, stormwater management, and river basin modeling, helping cities and communities become more adaptive and future-ready.

Digital transformation is a key enabler across all our work. We are leveraging GIS, AI, and data analytics to optimise project performance, enhance monitoring, and improve environmental outcomes.

Finally, our commitment to talent development and innovation remains strong. We are investing in local expertise, partnering with academic institutions, and nurturing new ideas through internal innovation hubs. By forming strategic partnerships with global and local players, we aim to co-create solutions in emerging areas such as offshore wind, green hydrogen, and the energy-water nexus.

Ultimately, our vision is to deliver not only successful projects, but also a positive legacy—contributing to a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient energy future for India.