India’s renewable energy transition must now be driven as much by energy security as by climate goals, according to Rahul Munjal, Chairman and Managing Director of Hero Future Energies.

Speaking against the backdrop of recent oil supply disruptions linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, Munjal highlighted India’s continued vulnerability due to its heavy dependence on imported crude oil. He stressed that the country must accelerate its clean energy transition not just for environmental reasons, but to ensure long-term energy independence and economic resilience.

Munjal argued that India needs to scale its renewable energy capacity from gigawatts to terawatts over the coming decades. This would require a significant expansion of solar and wind power, along with the development of emerging solutions such as green hydrogen.

He outlined a multi-pronged approach to reducing fossil fuel dependence: renewable energy for electricity generation, green hydrogen for industrial use, and methanol as an alternative fuel for shipping. Such diversification, he noted, can help reduce reliance on imported oil across key sectors of the economy.

Hero Future Energies currently operates around 10 GW of renewable capacity and is increasingly focusing on green hydrogen as a major growth opportunity. The company is backed by global investors including KKR, and is positioning itself to capitalise on emerging clean fuel markets.

Munjal pointed out that while solar and wind energy are becoming commoditised with falling tariffs and increasing competition, green hydrogen presents higher-margin opportunities, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as cement, steel, and glass manufacturing. However, he acknowledged that high production costs remain a key challenge for large-scale adoption.

His remarks underscore a broader shift in India’s energy narrative—from a climate-driven transition to one that also prioritises energy security, supply chain resilience, and reduced exposure to global fossil fuel volatility.

As geopolitical uncertainties continue to impact oil markets, the push toward domestic renewable energy and alternative fuels is expected to gain further momentum, reshaping India’s long-term energy strategy.