Archive · 20 Jul 2026
India's Energy Security Shift: Resilience Over Adequacy
India is changing how it thinks about energy security.
Instead of just making sure it has enough oil and gas, it wants to be more resilient.
This means having energy that is available, accessible, affordable, and sustainable.
India relies heavily on imports for its energy, which can be risky.
To reduce this risk, India is expanding its storage, diversifying where it gets its energy from, and investing in renewable energy.
It's also planning for the increased energy needs from data centers and AI.
However, there are challenges like improving transmission infrastructure, increasing battery storage, and securing critical minerals.
India is working with other countries to overcome these challenges and ensure it has a stable and sustainable energy future.
India is shifting from energy adequacy to comprehensive resilience to manage global energy shocks.
India relies heavily on imports for crude oil, natural gas, and LPG, making it vulnerable to geopolitical risks.
The country is expanding its Strategic Petroleum Reserves and diversifying energy sources, including buying discounted Russian crude.
India is investing in renewable energy and addressing structural bottlenecks like transmission infrastructure and battery storage.
The government is planning for increased energy demands from data centers and AI, aligning grid adequacy with localized power generation.
- Who
- India's government and economic planners.
- What
- Shifting focus from energy adequacy to comprehensive resilience.
- When
- Ongoing, with long-term planning for 2030.
- Where
- India, with global energy sourcing and partnerships.
- Why
- To insulate the economy from global energy shocks and ensure sustainable growth.
Traditional Energy Security
Modern Energy Security
Focus
Traditional Energy Security
Securing enough oil or gas to meet immediate demand.
Modern Energy Security
Building deep resilience for an increasingly uncertain decade.
Pillars
Traditional Energy Security
Narrow lens of adequacy.
Modern Energy Security
Four critical pillars: availability, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability.
Geopolitical Dependence
Traditional Energy Security
Reliance on traditional suppliers like the Middle East.
Modern Energy Security
Diversification of energy sources, including Russia and the US.
- Crude Oil Imports
- 88-90% of India's crude oil is imported.
- Natural Gas Imports
- 50% of India's natural gas is imported.
- LPG Imports
- 60% of India's LPG is imported.
- Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR)
- Current capacity is 5.33 MMT, with expansions underway.
- Renewable Energy Target
- 55 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity to be added by FY26.
- Data Centre Capacity
- Projected to increase sixfold to 8-10 GW in four years.
- Critical Minerals
- China controls 60% of global rare earth production and 70% of cobalt refining.
- Financing Needs
- Estimated $150-200 billion required to meet 2030 renewable energy targets.