India Faces Growing Solar Power Curtailment Amid Grid Oversupply Challenges

India’s electricity grid is increasingly unable to handle the rapid influx of solar energy, forcing grid operators to curtail more renewable power. In October, solar curtailment rose to around 12% — the highest since May — with some days seeing up to 40% of generated solar power unable to reach consumers. The imbalance stems from a mismatch between daytime solar generation and the limited flexibility of coal-based power plants, which cannot ramp down output quickly enough. As a result, the grid faces difficulties accommodating renewable energy during peak solar hours while still depending on coal to meet evening demand. Wind power also experienced rare curtailments during the same period, indicating broader integration challenges for renewable sources. Experts emphasize the urgent need for large-scale energy storage solutions, such as batteries, to balance intermittent power and reduce waste. India currently has about 44 gigawatts of renewable projects struggling to secure buyers. The government is reportedly considering canceling projects with limited offtake prospects, potentially impacting its target to reach 500 gigawatts of clean energy capacity by 2030.