India to Upgrade Weather Forecasting for Renewable Energy Integration

India is enhancing its weather forecasting systems to better support the country’s rapidly expanding renewable energy sector. Current forecasts lack the resolution needed for the grid’s 15-minute operating cycles, making solar and wind integration challenging. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is working on highly granular short-term forecasts and pioneering long-range predictive tools to improve planning. The government has also shifted to annual energy planning cycles for more accurate forecasting. These measures are seen as vital for ensuring grid stability as India scales up renewable capacity, with 22 GW added in the first half of 2025 and a target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Experts note that improving forecasting capabilities will also reduce curtailment of renewable energy during low demand periods and ease transmission congestion, allowing cleaner power to be used more efficiently. This move underscores India’s broader strategy to balance rapid green energy growth with the reliability and resilience of its power grid.