Que: As India's energy transition progresses, how is the focus shifting from increasing supply to smarter energy management?

Ans: India is at a genuine inflection point in its energy journey. Our total generating capacity now stands at around 520 GW, and what's particularly encouraging is that we're running nearly a year ahead of schedule on our renewable energy targets — a testament to strong policy support and execution.

Renewables now account for roughly half of that capacity, around 272 GW, which is a significant milestone. Expanding renewable generation is clearly the right direction for a greener transition.

However, reaching this scale also introduces a new set of challenges. The focus is increasingly shifting from simply adding capacity to managing it intelligently — specifically, how we integrate these variable renewable sources into the grid and ensure stable, reliable power flows. This is the next frontier India is preparing to address.

This is precisely where digital tools like DERMS come in, which leverage AI to analyse diverse energy sources, quantify output, forecast future conditions, and build resilience into the grid.

Que: So, amid the recent geopolitical situations, how do you think the sector will evolve, and how does it need to evolve?

Ans: Recent geopolitical developments — unfolding over roughly the past six weeks — are already making their presence felt, particularly in supply chains. It has led to an increase in price of raw materials such as copper and aluminium. The manufacturing sector is bearing the brunt of this disruption, and while we hope these pressures ease over time, the near-term impact is real.

Right now, sector should focus on supplier diversification and adopting variable pricing strategies, while also emphasising localisation and value engineering to optimise raw material usage in the coming years.

On the energy commodities front, the LPG situation has been especially concerning. The supply squeeze has triggered a sharp rise in prices, pushing operating costs significantly higher. Sector should actively explore alternative approaches to reduce dependency on LPG, and there's cautious optimism that the situation will stabilise.

Que: How are digital tools like monitoring, automation, and analytics helping utilities improve efficiency?

Ans: : This is an important one. Think about how dramatically the energy landscape has changed — we've moved well beyond the conventional model of coal-based generation. Today, India has over 50 GW of wind capacity, a growing solar base, and increasingly, a new category of participants called prosumers — households and businesses that both consume and generate energy, largely driven by initiatives like the government's PM Surya Ghar Yojana.

The result is a system of remarkable complexity. Energy now flows in multiple directions, from multiple sources, and those sources alternate between drawing from and feeding into the grid. Managing this effectively is no longer optional — it's essential.

Grid management today goes far beyond simply routing power in and out. It demands the ability to predict load patterns, identify the most cost-efficient power sources at any given moment, and respond swiftly when something goes wrong.

This is precisely where digital tools come in. Advanced Distributed Management Systems — scalable, multi-component platforms — are at the heart of modern grid intelligence. A key component of these are Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS), which leverage AI to analyse diverse energy sources, quantify output, forecast future conditions, and build resilience into the grid.

These are tools that Schneider Electric has developed and that India is increasingly adopting — helping the grid become not just more efficient, but more robust and capable of bouncing back from disruptions.

Que: Could you share one example where your solutions and services have increased energy efficiency in a particular sector, particularly in grid and renewables?

Ans: So, we have been working in quite a few states for a long time. One strong example is our work in Bihar, where we've been engaged over an extended period. There, we implemented fully digitalised substations — a significant step up from conventional infrastructure.

What this means in practice is a shift to sensor-driven, analytics-based operations. Every aspect of the substation is monitored and managed through intelligent systems, enabling real-time visibility and much faster response to any anomalies.

As a result, the losses have reduced significantly and there is an improvement in overall grid efficiency. It's a clear demonstration of how digitalisation at the substation level can translate directly into better performance — and it's a model that holds strong potential for replication across other states as India continues its grid modernisation journey.

Que: Do you think India has the right, let's say, skills for this sector, or are you facing any challenges?

Ans: India's talent base is genuinely strong — that's not the concern. The more important question is how we keep that talent pipeline future-ready.

This is something Schneider Electric is actively invested in. A key focus for us is upskilling — particularly among students — ensuring that the next generation of professionals is equipped with the specialised capabilities that India's evolving energy sector will demand.

We're clear-eyed about this challenge and are taking deliberate steps to address it. The goal is straightforward: as the sector grows and becomes more complex, we want to ensure there's a well-prepared workforce ready to step in — not just for Schneider, but for the country's broader energy ambitions.

Que: AI is still very new for a large population. How are you creating awareness among consumers about these products and how they can benefit from them?

Ans: AI is still a relatively nascent concept for a large part of the population — and this is especially true within the switchgear industry, where awareness of its practical applications remains limited. Many end users are yet to fully appreciate how AI can extend the life of assets, optimise performance, or enable powerful capabilities like digital twins — virtual replicas of physical systems that allow operators to detect anomalies, simulate scenarios, and plan maintenance far more effectively.

At Schneider Electric, we recognise that awareness is the first step toward adoption. That's why we're actively pushing for digitally connected products and raising awareness amongst our customers as well as industry peers by taking our solutions to industry summits, forums, and stakeholder events — not just to showcase the technology, but to make its real-world benefits tangible and relatable for end users.

Que: Do you think there are still any policy gaps or new policies you would recommend to the government?

Ans: I think the Government of India, the Ministry of Power, the Central Electricity Authority, and others are all sensitised to this. They have been continuously working on rolling out policies which are conducive not only for manufacturers but also for industry stakeholders.

PLI schemes, incentive programmes, and policies like RDSS are all aimed at this. So, I would say the government is continuously working to make things better for all stakeholders involved.

Que: What are your expansion plans? Any new partnerships or services that you are going to launch?

Ans: At Schneider Electric Infrastructure Ltd., we are primarily into equipment manufacturing such as medium voltage equipment, transformers, and substation automation equipment.

We have already announced CAPEX plans where we are increasing capacity so that we can cater to higher volumes in the future. This has already been declared, and work is currently underway.

Que: How do you think the renewable and electricity sectors are going to perform in the next five years?

Ans: Energy Generation Capacity today is at 500+ GW and is expected to double in the next four to five years, and possibly grow six times by 2047. Renewables today contribute around 50 percent of what we produce.

But the real challenge — and opportunity — lies not just in generation, but in how we manage what we generate. Integrating renewable power seamlessly into the grid, and ensuring the grid itself operates intelligently and reliably, will be the defining task of the next decade. This is where solutions like EcoStruxure Grid come in, building the resilience and robustness the system will need.

Looking beyond the grid, EV adoption is another transformative force to watch. We're at roughly 8 percent penetration today, but if momentum holds, we could reach 30 percent — and when that happens, it will fundamentally reshape the electrical distribution landscape. Managing EV charging infrastructure, prioritising loads, and ensuring efficient power delivery will become mission-critical. Solutions like DLMS are designed precisely to navigate this complexity.

Underpinning all of this is AI. Whether it's predicting demand, optimising sources, or managing a multi-directional grid, AI-driven tools will shift from being an advantage to an absolute necessity. The future of India's power sector will be built on intelligent, predictive, and adaptive systems — and the organisations that embrace this early will be best positioned to lead.

Another important shift will be a move towards SF6-free products to reduce CO2 emissions, we have a product – RM AirSeT and we have supplied these to a few discoms and they have started recognising this and are utilising such services as part of their sustainability charters.

Que: What 2–3 skill sets will be most important in the coming times, particularly for AI and grid infrastructure?

Ans: Two skill sets stand out as most critical going forward. First, power systems engineering with a digital overlay — traditional electrical engineering remains the foundation, but must now be paired with digitalisation tools, sensor technologies, and platforms like advanced distribution management systems. Tomorrow's engineer needs to be comfortable in both worlds.

Second, cybersecurity — as grids grow more connected and software-driven, protecting critical energy infrastructure from cyber threats becomes non-negotiable.

But underlying both is one essential quality — adaptability. The energy sector is transforming faster than ever, and the professionals who will truly thrive are those with the mindset to continuously learn and evolve alongside it.