India’s Grid Challenges Amid Renewable Surge At the India Energy Transition Summit (Feb 26 2026), CEA Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad warned that rapid growth in renewable energy is exposing weaknesses in the existing transmission network, leading to dangerous grid oscillations . Key Developments (Feb 2026) Oscillation originating in Rajasthan was felt as far as Kudankulam , highlighting the integrated nature of the national grid. India added a record 48 GW of renewable capacity in 2025, nearly doubling the previous year’s addition. Despite 52 % of installed capacity being non‑fossil (≈264 GW), about 75 % of actual electricity generation still comes from coal due to its dispatchability. Between May‑Dec 2025, the country curtailed roughly 2,300 GWh of solar power because of grid constraints. Important Facts The surge in solar‑wind projects has outpaced the grid’s ability to manage variability. Unlike coal, renewable sources are intermittent, requiring rapid switching and adequate battery storage . The lack of a “smart” grid and limited storage leads to curtailment , wasting clean energy and increasing reliance on coal. UPSC Relevance Understanding these dynamics is vital for GS‑3 (Economy & Environment) questions on energy security, climate commitments, and infrastructure planning. The CEA’s role illustrates inter‑agency coordination (GS‑2: Polity). The target of 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030 and 6,000 GW by 2070 aligns with India’s pledge to become carbon‑neutral by 2070, a recurring theme in the UPSC syllabus on sustainable development. Way Forward Accelerate deployment of smart‑grid solutions for real‑time balancing. Expand large‑scale battery storage and explore pumped hydro to absorb excess solar‑wind generation. Formulate clear curtailment policies and incentivise demand‑side management to reduce waste of clean energy. Strengthen coordination between CEA, state utilities, and renewable developers to pre‑empt oscillations. Addressing these challenges is essential for India to meet its long‑term climate targets while ensuring grid stability and energy security.