India’s installed renewable energy capacity has crossed 50% mark, yet the energy transition remains fragile. Critically examine the structural bottlenecks in India’s renewable energy ecosystem, with specific reference to grid integration, storage, and the role of critical minerals.

India's installed non-fossil fuel capacity has crossed 50% (≈52.3%)—five years ahead of its NDC target. However, energy transition remains fragile because of the following reasons:

• Grid Integration Challenges
• Intermittency of solar and wind causes fluctuations in voltage.
• Limited deployment of smart grids and Green Energy Corridors constrains seamless power evacuation.
• DISCOMs' financial stress discourages procurement of renewable power and timely payments.
• Inadequate transmission infrastructure.
• Storage Deficit
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) remain capital-intensive.
• Storage Projects face land acquisition, forest clearance and ecological concerns.
• Hydrogen-based seasonal storage ecosystem still lags.
• Critical Mineral Dependence
• India imports most of its lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite, exposing the sector to geopolitical and supply-chain risks.
• Limited domestic mining and refining capacity constrains battery manufacturing despite PLI schemes
• Recycling and urban mining ecosystems remain nascent despite the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022.
• Other Structural Bottlenecks
• Slow transmission expansion and delays in land acquisition.
• Policy uncertainty and varying state-level renewable regulations.

Therefore, the next phase of India's energy transition should focus on transforming renewable capacity into reliable, affordable and self-reliant clean energy for Viksit Bharat 2047.