Indian Government Encourages Daytime Energy Use to Cut Imports
The Indian government is urging residents to shift their energy consumption to daytime hours as a strategy to reduce reliance on energy imports, particularly in light of ongoing international conflicts affecting supply chains.
At a recent summit in New Delhi, Pralhad Joshi, the renewable energy minister, highlighted that India’s vulnerability to the conflict, particularly the US-Israeli tensions with Iran, mainly impacts commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), while petrol and diesel supplies remain stable.
Joshi emphasized the potential benefits of utilizing affordable solar energy for daily activities like cooking and charging vehicles during the day, rather than relying on fossil fuels at night. “If energy usage can be moved before 5 p.m., it would significantly help decrease our import needs,” he stated, advocating for rooftop solar installations as part of the solution.
The ongoing conflict has affected global oil supply, especially following Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for oil transport. This disruption has resulted in sharp price hikes, with Brent crude oil prices soaring over 55% since the conflict began in late February, nearing $120 per barrel.
India, which imports around 89% of its crude oil, has managed to mitigate the impact on petrol and diesel supplies by increasing imports from Russia. However, the LPG situation is more challenging, as approximately 60% of India’s cooking fuel relies on the strait, leading to shortages and long lines at distribution points.
Experts at the summit underscored the importance of electrifying key sectors of the economy to enhance resilience against supply shocks. Sagar Adani, from Adani Green Energy, pointed out that India’s future hinges on its ability to manage interruptions in energy supply. “In today’s world, it’s not just about economic growth but also about being able to withstand disruptions,” he explained.
Notably, India achieved a record addition of 55 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in the fiscal year 2025-26, a significant milestone that has helped renewable sources now supply over 50% of the country’s installed electricity capacity. However, Joshi acknowledged that installed capacity does not necessarily reflect actual energy generation.
Adani emphasized the urgency of energy security, stating that it’s become an immediate concern rather than a theoretical discussion. He asserted that for India to elevate to developed economy status by 2047, it must aim not just for incremental changes but substantial growth in energy capacity—nearly 2,000 gigawatts over the next two decades.
The way forward, according to Adani, involves extensive electrification and reducing reliance on imported energy. He warned, however, that solar and wind energy alone would not suffice to meet future demands. “We must leverage all available energy sources, including hydro, thermal, and nuclear. Without a reliable power base, our plans won’t work,” he cautioned.
The government supports a technology-neutral approach to energy generation, focusing on reliable power supply systems that can operate continuously, regardless of weather conditions. This shift indicates a commitment to not just increasing capacity, but also to enhancing the reliability and stability of the energy grid in India.
