Eastern India is rapidly emerging as a high-growth hub for renewable energy, targeting 11 GW of installed capacity by 2030, according to insights shared at a high-level dialogue organised by FICCI in Kolkata.
The event, held in partnership with AMPIN Energy Transition and supported by CRISIL and Sumitomo Corporation India, brought together policymakers, regulators, utilities and developers to deliberate on accelerating the region’s clean-energy transition—particularly for commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers.
Former Power Secretary and ex-CERC Member Arun Goyal stressed that Eastern India must strengthen intrastate networks and modernise transmission infrastructure for renewable energy to translate into reliable industrial power. AMPIN Energy Transition CEO Pinaki Bhattacharyya highlighted rising industrial demand, maturing state policies and increasing C&I preference for cost-efficient green power. He noted that renewable penetration across the region—currently between 1–18%—presents ‘a massive opportunity,’ reaffirming AMPIN’s INR 5,000 crore investment commitment across six eastern states.
APDCL Chairman Syedain Abbasi emphasised that the region’s renewable expansion is being enabled by grid strengthening, rooftop solar promotion and storage-ready planning. He called the shift “an accelerating transition led by policy reforms and rising green ambition.” DVC’s ED Commercial Sanjiv Shrivastava underscored the need for synchronised growth in RE capacity, storage and flexible grid management to balance demand peaks.
Providing a national perspective, former Power Secretary Alok Kumar noted that C&I consumers are becoming the key drivers of India’s clean-energy demand, with Eastern India poised to scale rapidly through stronger regulations, storage, VPPs and manufacturing-led innovation.
CERC Chief of Regulatory Affairs S. K. Chatterjee highlighted flexibility, decentralisation and digital technologies as the backbone of India’s future energy system, citing the critical role of virtual power plants and demand-side participation.
From the state utility perspective, GRIDCO MD Dr. Satyapriya Rath said Eastern India is shifting from a conventional power hub to a green-energy leader, stressing the need for collaboration between regulators, developers, industries and utilities. WBREDA’s representation added that regulatory clarity and grid preparedness will be central to enabling rooftop, captive and open-access adoption.
CRISIL’s Energy & Sustainability Director Pranav Master shared that Eastern India is emerging as a promising market due to rising C&I demand, stronger transmission networks and supportive state policies.
Closing the event, FICCI Director Arpan Gupta reiterated FICCI’s commitment to advancing India’s clean-energy transition, noting that technology, industrial ambition and government vision are aligning to make Eastern India one of the country’s most dynamic renewable markets in the coming decade.
