Daily Editorial Analysis 20 June 2026

India’s Cheapest Power is Here, the Grid Must Catch Up 

Context

• The rapid growth of solar power and wind energy, now the country’s cheapest sources of electricity, has positioned India as a global leader in the renewable energy
• However, the pace of renewable energy deployment has begun to outstrip the development of transmission infrastructure, creating significant bottlenecks.
• While clean energy projects can be completed within months, transmission networks often require several years to build.

Transmission as the New Bottleneck

• Growing Energy Demand and Renewable Expansion
  • India currently possesses around 250 GW of renewable energy capacity, with another 100 GW under construction.
  • As electricity demand rises and sectors such as transportation and industry become increasingly electrified, the country may require nearly 2,000 GW by 2050.
  • Meeting this target will necessitate one of the largest energy infrastructure expansions in the world.
• Constraints in Transmission Development
  • Despite impressive progress in renewable deployment, more than 50 GW of clean energy capacity remains unable to connect effectively to the grid.
  • The primary reason is the slow pace of transmission development.
  • New transmission corridors face challenges related to land acquisition, environmental clearances, regulatory approvals, and lengthy construction periods.
  • As a result, transmission infrastructure has emerged as the most significant barrier to India’s clean energy transition.

Unlocking Capacity Through Existing Infrastructure

• Integrating Battery Storage
  • One of the most effective ways to improve grid efficiency is through battery storage.
  • Many renewable energy projects use their transmission connections only when electricity is being generated.
  • By storing excess electricity and releasing it during peak demand periods, batteries can significantly increase transmission utilisation.
  • This approach could unlock the equivalent of approximately 400 GW of additional clean energy capacity without requiring new transmission corridors.
• Utilising Coal-Based Transmission Corridors
  • Many ageing coal plants operate below capacity but continue to possess valuable transmission connections.
  • Locating renewable energy projects near these facilities allows clean power to use underutilised transmission infrastructure whenever coal generation declines.
  • This strategy can improve asset utilisation, reduce congestion, and support nearly 100 GW of additional renewable energy capacity.
• Leveraging Existing Substations
  • Existing substations provide another opportunity for rapid expansion.
  • Many substations have the ability to accommodate additional renewable energy connections with minimal upgrades.
  • When combined with storage systems, these facilities can help manage power flows more effectively and support around 100 GW of additional clean energy generation.

The Role of Advanced Transmission Technology

• Reconductoring and Grid Upgrades
  • A substantial portion of India’s transmission network still relies on conventional conductors that limit power transfer under high temperatures.
  • Replacing these with high-temperature, low-sag conductors through reconductoring can nearly double transmission capacity while using the same towers and rights-of-way.
  • This approach eliminates the need for extensive land acquisition and significantly increases grid efficiency.
• Creating Clean-Energy Superhighways
  • When advanced conductors are combined with storage systems and shared transmission infrastructure, the existing grid can support more than 1,000 GW of additional renewable energy.
  • These improvements effectively transform existing transmission corridors into clean-energy superhighways, capable of carrying much larger volumes of electricity at relatively low cost.

Economic and Industrial Benefits

• Enhancing Competitiveness and Energy Security
  • Grid modernisation delivers benefits that extend beyond environmental sustainability.
  • Improved grid utilisation lowers costs, enhances reliability, and strengthens energy security.
  • Reliable and affordable electricity is increasingly important for industries such as steel, aluminium, cement, chemicals, and data centres, all of which require continuous access to power at predictable prices.
• Maximising Infrastructure Investments
  • India plans to invest over $100 billion in transmission infrastructure and expand its network by approximately 40% over the coming decade.
  • Incorporating advanced technologies into these investments can maximise long-term returns while reducing future congestion and capacity constraints.

The Importance of Policy Reform

• Promoting Storage-Integrated Renewable Energy
  • Regulatory frameworks should encourage greater integration of storage systems with renewable energy projects.
  • Such measures can improve grid efficiency and ensure more effective use of transmission infrastructure.
• Encouraging Advanced Transmission Technologies
  • Procurement and regulatory policies should support advanced transmission technologies that provide higher capacity and better long-term performance, even if they involve slightly higher initial costs.
• Coordinated Planning and Renewable Energy Zones
  • The development of renewable energy zones alongside optimised transmission corridors is essential for reducing planning delays and ensuring that large volumes of low-cost clean energy can be transmitted efficiently across the country.

Conclusion

• India’s clean energy future depends not only on generating renewable electricity but also on delivering it efficiently.
• Transmission bottlenecks have become the defining challenge of the country’s energy transition.
• Through grid modernisation, battery storage, advanced conductors, improved utilisation of existing infrastructure, and forward-looking policy reforms, India can unlock vast amounts of additional renewable energy capacity.
• A smarter, more resilient grid will not only accelerate the transition to clean energy but also support industrial growth, economic competitiveness, and long-term sustainable development.

India’s Cheapest Power is Here, the Grid Must Catch Up FAQs

Q1. Why is transmission considered the main challenge in India’s energy transition?
Ans. Transmission is the main challenge because renewable energy projects are being developed faster than the transmission infrastructure needed to connect them to the grid.

Q2. How can battery storage improve grid efficiency?
Ans. Battery storage can improve grid efficiency by storing excess renewable energy and supplying it during periods of high electricity demand.

Q3. What role can old coal plants play in renewable energy expansion?
Ans. Old coal plants can support renewable energy expansion by allowing clean energy projects to use their underutilised transmission connections.

Q4. How does reconductoring increase transmission capacity?
Ans. Reconductoring increases transmission capacity by replacing old conductors with advanced high-temperature, low-sag conductors that can carry more electricity.

Q5. Why are policy reforms important for grid modernisation?
Ans. Policy reforms are important because they encourage storage integration, advanced transmission technologies, and better coordination between renewable energy projects and transmission planning.

Source: The Hindu

Moving from Drone Purchases to Drone Partnerships

Context

• India’s planned $2 billion investment in domestically manufactured drones represents a significant milestone in defence modernisation and the promotion of indigenous manufacturing.
• Beyond strengthening the domestic defence industry, it reflects a broader shift in military strategy from reliance on expensive platforms such as fighter aircraft and tanks toward smaller, cheaper, and more attritable systems.
• However, maximising the benefits of this investment requires reforms in the existing procurement system, which was designed primarily for long-life military assets rather than rapidly evolving drone technologies.

The Changing Nature of Modern Warfare

• Rise of Cost-Effective Drone Warfare
  • Recent conflicts have demonstrated the growing importance of micro drones, nano drones, and other low-cost unmanned systems.
  • Countries such as Iran, Russia, and Ukraine have effectively used large numbers of affordable drones to achieve military objectives.
  • A key advantage of drones lies in their favourable cost-benefit ratio. In many cases, the cost of intercepting a drone exceeds the cost of manufacturing it.
  • Consequently, military effectiveness increasingly depends on the ability to deploy large numbers of adaptable and expendable systems rather than a limited number of expensive platforms.
• Increasing Relevance of Attritable Systems
  • The battlefield is witnessing a shift from preserving every military asset to accepting the loss of low-cost systems that can be rapidly replaced.
  • This trend has made attritable systems a central component of contemporary military strategy.

Innovation Through Civil-Military Collaboration

• Role of Civilian Technology
  • Modern drone innovation is closely linked to advances in civilian technology.
  • Commercial drones can be modified for military applications at relatively low cost, creating opportunities for rapid innovation.
  • Ukraine’s use of first-person-view (FPV) drones equipped with warheads demonstrates how commercially available technologies can be adapted for combat purposes.
  • Such developments blur the distinction between civilian and military innovation.
• Importance of Research and Development Ecosystems
  • The growth of China’s drone industry highlights the value of collaboration among industry, academia, and the military.
  • Strong research and development (R&D) networks facilitate technological innovation, faster product development, and greater adaptability to changing operational requirements.

Challenges in Tactical Drone Procurement

• Rapid Technological Obsolescence
  • Unlike conventional military platforms that remain relevant for decades, tactical drones face rapid obsolescence.
  • Advances in electronic warfare (EW), signal interception, and jamming technologies can render drone systems ineffective within a short period.
  • Adversaries often adapt quickly to new drone technologies, requiring frequent modifications and upgrades.
  • The replacement of radio communication systems with fibre-optic cables in Ukraine illustrates the need for continuous innovation in response to evolving threats.
• Limitations of Traditional Procurement Models
  • Traditional procurement frameworks are largely transactional, assuming that military requirements can be fulfilled through one-time purchases.
  • While suitable for tanks and fighter aircraft, this model is inadequate for technologies that require constant updates and improvements.

India’s Existing Procurement Framework

• Positive Reforms
  • India has introduced several measures to address emerging technological challenges:
    • The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) permits procurement of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)
    • The Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) provides financial flexibility for repairs and upgrades.
  • Existing policies recognize the need for modernization and technological adaptability.
  • These reforms represent important steps toward a more responsive procurement framework.
• Remaining Gaps
  • Despite these improvements, procurement processes continue to focus primarily on acquiring products rather than sustaining capabilities.
  • The emphasis remains on transactions rather than long-term technological partnerships.

Towards a Partnership-Based Procurement Model

• Managed Service Contracts
  • A more effective approach would involve managed service contracts between the armed forces and drone manufacturers. Such agreements would include:
    • Continuous maintenance and support.
    • Regular software and hardware upgrades.
    • Assured supply during emergencies.
    • Enhanced surge production capacity during conflicts.
• Benefits of Long-Term Partnerships
  • Long-term partnerships would provide demand predictability for manufacturers while ensuring sustained military readiness.
  • More importantly, they would encourage continuous collaboration between industry and the armed forces, enabling rapid adaptation to changing battlefield conditions and technological threats.

Conclusion

• India’s investment in domestic drone production demonstrates a clear recognition of the changing character of warfare.
• However, acquiring drones alone will not guarantee military effectiveness.
• Sustained success requires procurement systems that prioritise continuous innovation, technological adaptability, and sustained capability.
• By moving from transactional purchases to strategic partnerships, India can build a defence ecosystem capable of keeping pace with the rapid evolution of tactical drones and the demands of future warfare.

Moving from Drone Purchases to Drone Partnerships FAQs

Q1. Why is India investing heavily in drones?

Ans. India is investing in drones to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing and modernize its military capabilities.

Q2. Why are tactical drones becoming important in modern warfare?

Ans. Tactical drones are becoming important because they are cost-effective, adaptable, and can be deployed in large numbers.

Q3. What is the biggest challenge in drone procurement?

Ans. The biggest challenge is keeping drones technologically relevant as they can become obsolete within a few years.

Q4. How does civilian technology contribute to military drone development?

Ans. Civilian technology contributes by providing commercial drone innovations that can be adapted for military use.

Q5. What procurement model is recommended for tactical drones?

Ans. A partnership-based managed service contract model is recommended to ensure continuous upgrades, maintenance, and technological improvements.

Source: The Hindu

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