India's Energy Mix: A Shift Towards Gas-Based Power Generation

Akhil Mehrotra, Managing Director of Pipeline Infrastructure, emphasized the importance of natural gas in India's energy mix during a recent interview. He noted that while solar and wind capacity are rising, gas-based power plants can provide flexible generation alongside battery storage.

According to Mehrotra, India already has around 20 GW of gas-based generation capacity, which could help manage periods when renewable output falls. However, he also highlighted the need for gas and batteries to complement each other to balance the approach.

Mehrotra identified several key weaknesses in India's energy-security architecture, including the absence of meaningful gas-storage capacity. He argued that strategic storage could allow the country to release gas during supply disruptions and moderate both availability and price risks.