From gigawatts to terawatts, India must cut crude dependence fast.

Energy Security, Not Climate Alone, Must Drive Renewable Push: Hero Future Energies’ Munjal.

Renewable energy adoption in India must now be driven by energy security rather than climate change alone, said Rahul Munjal, Chairman and Managing Director of Hero Future Energies. Speaking amid recent oil supply disruptions caused by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, Munjal stressed that India’s dependence on imported crude has once again exposed its vulnerability. He argued that the country needs to scale up renewable capacity from gigawatts to terawatts, leveraging solar, wind and green hydrogen as viable alternatives to fossil fuels. According to Munjal, hydrogen for factories, renewables for power, and methanol for shipping can significantly reduce oil dependence. Part of the Hero Group, Hero Future Energies has around 10 GW of renewable capacity and is now betting big on green hydrogen as its next growth driver, backed by global investors such as KKR. Munjal noted that while wind and solar are becoming commoditised, green hydrogen offers higher-margin opportunities, especially for hard-to-abate sectors like cement, steel and glass, though production costs remain high.