Energy Security and AI in India: Transforming Technology and Policy for Energy Sovereignty

By : V.K. Saraswat , Tarak Nath Chell

Page No: 331-358

Abstract:
India’s energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation as it seeks to balance rapid economic growth, rising energy demand and the imperative of sustainability. Despite significant progress in expanding electricity capacity and deploying renewable energy, the country remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, exposing it to geopolitical risks and fiscal pressures. India’s evolving energy security framework highlights the strategic role of Artificial Intelligence in addressing systemic challenges across generation, distribution and consumption — enabling accurate demand forecasting, efficient grid management, predictive maintenance and improved integration of renewable energy sources. Simultaneously, India is diversifying its energy mix through renewables, nuclear power, biofuels and green hydrogen. Clean coal technologies and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage further support this transition. However, critical mineral dependencies, rising data centre energy demand and cybersecurity risks complicate progress. The study argues that integrating AI into a diversified, self reliant energy strategy is essential for achieving India’s long-term energy security by 2047

Authors:
Dr. V.K. Saraswat, an internationally acclaimed scientist, is Member, NITI Aayog and former Chancellor of JNU. During his tenure as Secretary, DRDO, he was instrumental in designing ballistic missiles like the Agni, Prithvi and Prahaar, and deploying them in the armed forces. He holds a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering and, for his extraordinary contributions to India’s defence research, is a recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
Dr. Tarak Nath Chell holds a Doctorate in Energy Technology from Jadavpur University. He is currently assisting Dr. Saraswat in the Science & Technology Vertical of NITI Aayog, where his work focuses on advancing policy-driven innovation and sustainable energy solutions within India’s national development framework
 

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/NS.2026.09.03.1