New Delhi: India is set to transform its weather forecasting infrastructure in an ambitious move to secure the stability of its fast-expanding renewable energy sector. With solar and wind power generation heavily reliant on hyperlocal weather conditions, the country is shifting from broad-scale predictions to precision-driven tools capable of tracking rapid shifts in the atmosphere.
Officials emphasise that the traditional regional forecasts, once sufficient for energy planners, are now inadequate for a power grid increasingly dominated by clean energy. Renewable power generation, particularly solar and wind, can change sharply within minutes, leaving grid operators struggling to balance demand and supply. The government is therefore prioritising forecasts that match the 15-minute operating cycles of the grid, improving resolution to the smallest possible distance and timeframe.The new approach is being positioned as critical to the country’s ambition of scaling up non-fossil fuel capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030. India has already recorded a surge in renewable deployment, with 22 gigawatts of fresh solar and wind installations added in just the first half of 2025. Experts argue that this pace of growth will place unprecedented stress on the grid unless forecasting systems evolve in tandem.
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Beyond short-term forecasts, policymakers are also exploring the possibility of long-range climate models that could project weather patterns years in advance. Such tools, though still at a formative stage globally, are expected to aid planners in designing resilient infrastructure, deciding future investment locations and strengthening city-level climate adaptation strategies. While officials admit that no country has yet achieved accurate multi-year weather projections, India’s pursuit of such tools underlines the scale of its energy transition challenge.Equally significant is a shift in how energy planning itself is conducted. The Central Electricity Authority is moving away from a five-year planning cycle to a more agile annual model, allowing authorities to adjust forecasts and strategies in real time. Officials argue that this flexibility will be essential as renewable supply expands and the grid becomes more complex.
The policy shift comes at a time when New Delhi has already begun experimenting with curtailing both solar and coal-based power during low-demand hours to maintain grid stability and reduce transmission congestion. These interventions highlight the delicate balancing act of managing a power system in transition, where fossil fuels continue to provide backup while renewable capacity grows at a record pace.For India, improving forecast accuracy is more than just a technical exercise. It is about building a reliable clean energy future, ensuring stability in urban and rural grids alike, and securing progress towards sustainable, carbon-neutral cities. The ability to anticipate the weather with greater precision may well determine the success of India’s clean energy ambitions.
New Delhi sharpens weather forecasts to safeguard power in cities
