India lost around 300 GWh of renewable energy in the first quarter of 2026 due to transmission constraints, according to a report by Ember. The study said renewable power generation had to be reduced because transmission infrastructure was not sufficient to carry electricity from solar and wind projects to the grid.
The report noted that total renewable energy curtailment reached nearly 470 GWh during January–March 2026, with the northern and western regions facing the highest losses. Ember said delays in transmission projects and faster renewable energy capacity additions are creating grid challenges across the country.
The latest Ember research highlighted that transmission constraints emerged as the dominant reason for renewable curtailment during January–March 2026, reflecting the widening mismatch between the rapid pace of solar project deployment and slower transmission infrastructure expansion. The study noted that India has achieved only around 80% of its annual transmission targets over the past five years, creating a growing transmission backlog.
The think tank warned that continued transmission bottlenecks could affect several upcoming renewable energy projects in the coming years. It suggested faster transmission expansion, better grid planning, and deployment of battery energy storage systems to reduce clean energy losses.
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