India imports 85% of crude oil and 50% of natural gas. This dependency makes our economy vulnerable to global price shocks and geopolitical risks. True energy security requires diversification across sources, suppliers, and technologies.
The renewable energy push is essential but insufficient. Solar and wind generate electricity, but our energy needs span transportation (largely petroleum), industrial heat (largely coal and gas), cooking (LPG), and fertilizers (natural gas-based).
The future requires a portfolio approach: maximizing renewables for electricity, expanding nuclear power for baseload, scaling green hydrogen for industry, electrifying transportation, and investing in storage technology. Each piece is critical.
Domestically, we must build manufacturing capacity for solar cells, batteries, and electrolyzers. Internationally, we must secure long-term contracts for critical minerals — lithium, cobalt, nickel. Strategic petroleum reserves should be tripled.