News & Media
OPINION – Plugging In: Harnessing solar for industrial electrification
India is poised to surpass the US to become the world’s second largest renewable energy market. Indian solar deployments grew 45 GW last year alone, close to Spain’s entire installed solar capacity.
Power consumers in India can save ₹2.5 trillion by doubling AC efficiency
As India’s power grid strains under another intense summer, a new study has found the country can avoid power shortages and save consumers up to ₹2.5 lakh crore ($25 billion) by doubling the energy efficiency of room air-conditioners (ACs) over the next decade.
India can prevent power shortages, help cut power bills by doubling efficiency of ACs: Study
India can prevent power shortages and help consumers save up to Rs 2.5 lakh crore by doubling energy efficiency of room air conditioners (ACs) over next decade, a new study from India Energy and Climate Center (IECC) at University of California, Berkeley has said, as the country’s power grid strains under another intense summer.
Doubling AC efficiency could save India ₹2.5 lakh crore, prevent blackouts: Study
Efficient ACs, with slightly higher upfront prices could deliver net savings of ₹90,000–2,40,000 crore ($9–25 billion) by 2035
OPINION – Beat the heat, don’t break the grid
India’s power grid is buckling under the summer heat. Air conditioners (ACs) are fast becoming the single largest driver of peak electricity demand — contributing as much as 70 GW, or 25%. ACs are power guzzlers, each consuming 100-150 times the electricity of an LED bulb.
The dawn of 24/7 solar power
The plunging cost of large-scale battery storage is a potentially game-changing development for the
electricity sector — one that is just starting to get the attention it merits.
Could this usher in a new wave of 24-hour solar and wind power?
India is at a crossroads.
The Global South is at a crossroads.
The world is at a crossroads.
Crossroads is the India Energy & Climate Center Quarterly Newsletter, where we share the latest news, research and facts about the center
Crossroads 10
Over the last 15 years, India has seen ten of the fifteen warmest years on record. In February 2026, several cities saw temperatures 3–5°C above normal, signaling early arrival of summer heat. As cities, states and the central government get into the annual rhythm of heat preparedness and response, technology-backed assessments and solutions will be key for long-term adaptation and heat mitigation.
Crossroads 9
India’s clean-energy transition continues to accelerate. The country has crossed a major milestone—over 50% of installed power capacity now comes from non-fossil sources, five years ahead of schedule. Renewable additions remain strong: India installed 30 GW of new RE capacity in 2024 and has already added 28 GW in 2025 through October.
Crossroads 8
Data centers may be a significant source of electricity demand in the coming years, with some estimates as high as 40 TWh/yr by 2030. Most cloud players are demanding clean energy, and several Indian states are offering incentives for green-powered data centers.
