Indigenous manufacturing will bridge the demand-supply gap

The Indian energy sector has always been upmarket. The growing population has always created an energy demand; hence, the sector has only enhanced itself over the last couple of decades. With the industry focusing equally on net-zero targets, Deepak Ushadevi, MD & CEO of Ciel n Terre India, is sure to achieve them with clean, green, and sustainable energy for all, creating a safe future for generations to come. The country’s ambitious targets are incredibly positive and promising.
A recent report shows India can build 23.7 GW of clean energy capacity by 2026. What opportunities would this provide for RE and related sectors?
India has a vast scope for renewable energy in the coming years, with a lot of focus on developing environmentally friendly and sustainable energy. In the case of floating solar, we foresee tenders worth 2 GW by the end of 2023 alone. The industry is now well-informed about FSPV (Floating Solar PV) and its benefits. Hence It is well welcomed by the government and industry experts.

What are the challenges for India’s energy sector to become an intelligent energy sector in the future?
We are sure to meet several hurdles on our way towards our objective. For instance, the solar sector is currently facing challenges in terms of import duties on solar panels and procuring ALMM-approved modules. To balance demand and supply, we should have more subsidiaries and benefits for locally and indigenously manufactured goods. This will help the country grow economically and create job opportunities equally.
How are technological advancements enabling your industry to become more intelligent in application and maintenance?
Many sophisticated and advanced technologies are enabling us to serve the market better. The more enhanced technology is, the easier it becomes to implement and operate RE plants. Proper training on these technologies’ usage and availability will come in handy when the demand for them goes up.
What are the most recent smart and sustainable products and technologies that may play a role in India’s smart energy landscape?
We at Ciel & Terre are developing Hydrelio® technologies that suit the expanding market. Our current product can accommodate modules up to the most extensive panel currently available (700 Wp), allowing for the mounting of larger-frame PV modules; it is UV resistant and is suitable for sensitive waters. They can also sustain wind speeds up to 210 kmph and wave heights up to 2 m. This will aid in installing large-scale FSPV plants with ease.