India’s renewable energy sector is entering a decisive decade, with nuclear, solar, and energy storage forming the backbone of its transition strategy. While the global narrative has largely focused on solar and wind, India is quietly positioning itself as a leader in nuclear small modular reactors (SMRs), large-scale battery manufacturing, and integrated renewable solutions that ensure both affordability and reliability. With the government targeting 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047 and aggressively expanding the domestic solar and storage ecosystem, the sector is drawing unprecedented private and institutional capital flows.

Six Indian conglomerates including Reliance, Adani, Tata Power, JSW Energy, Jindal Steel, and Hindalco are preparing investments across 16 Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) sites in six states. Unlike legacy projects, these SMRs will follow a hybrid investment model where private players bring in land and capital expenditure, while NPCIL handles operations. The proposal deadline of March 2026 is critical, with announcements likely to re-rate nuclear-linked stocks. The ₹9,000 crore SMR capex cycle by FY27 is already seen as a de-risked opportunity for private investors, supported by guaranteed captive power contracts. 

Solar Energy : Rooftop Growth Meets Tender Volatility

On the solar front, the Delhi government’s initiative to install 55 MW of rooftop solar across 1,000 public buildings by January 2026 underlines urban renewable adoption. Similarly, Tata Power’s 80 MW firm renewable PPA for Mumbai demonstrates how hybrid solutions integrating solar, wind, and storage are becoming the backbone of reliable urban supply. Yet, challenges loom: the government may cancel 3–4 GW of rushed solar tenders that tried to circumvent new domestic sourcing rules. Combined with a three-year anti-dumping duty on Chinese solar cells, this could reshape project economics and slow short-term solar deployment even as it strengthens India’s manufacturing base. theweek.in

Batteries and EVs : Manufacturing and Demand Surge

India’s clean energy ambitions are tightly linked to storage and mobility. Multiple firms are entering Li-ion cell production to meet surging demand, supported by the PLI scheme. At the same time, EV sales are showing mixed trends, though electric cars posted a 160% year-on-year jump in September, highlighting strong momentum in the passenger vehicle segment. Falling battery pack costs and scale manufacturing will be critical for sustaining this growth while ensuring grid stability through large-scale storage tenders. Economic Times

The government is now planning to cancel 3–4 GW of solar tenders that were rushed to beat import rules, enforcing stricter local content norms from mid-2026. This adds execution risk for developers overly dependent on imported modules. Economic Times

Global & Geopolitical Developments : Regional Collaboration

Beyond India, the renewable narrative is shaped by strategic alignments. Turkey’s plans to collaborate with the US and South Korea on its second nuclear power plant and Indonesia’s 92 MW floating solar project reflect how Asia is diversifying its clean energy portfolio. For India, the move to secure long-term LPG cargoes from the US while maintaining Russian crude flows showcases a hedging strategy that balances decarbonization with energy security.

Final Word : What Changed This Week

This week underscored the duality of India’s renewable transition—momentum in nuclear and storage, but volatility in solar. The extension of the SMR proposal deadline reinforced the long-term nuclear opportunity, while rooftop and hybrid projects showcased steady urban adoption. At the same time, the government’s move to review and potentially cancel 3–4 GW of solar tenders highlighted regulatory tightening around imports, creating short-term execution risks. Globally, Turkey’s nuclear talks and Indonesia’s floating solar launch added fresh signals of regional collaboration. Net takeaway: India’s renewable growth story remains intact, but sector leadership is shifting—from solar developers toward nuclear, battery, and integrated infra players.