India’s clean energy revolution is gathering unprecedented momentum, with record investments pouring into renewable energy, battery storage, and advanced grid technologies.

 

But industry leaders warn that the next big challenge will be building a workforce capable of powering this transformation.

 

With the clean-tech sector projected to generate 7.29 million jobs by FY28, including an estimated 1.2-1.5 million new roles in FY27 alone, experts are calling for an urgent expansion of AI, engineering, and specialised technical training programmes to prepare India’s youth for a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

 

The growing intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainability is reshaping the future of work, with nearly 70 per cent of emerging green jobs expected to require digital skills. 

 

Industry leaders at the recently concluded India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2026 stressed that targeted upskilling, stronger industry-academia partnerships, and advanced technical education will be critical for India to emerge as a global clean-tech powerhouse.

 

Maddisetty Venugopal Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, Pace Digitek Limited, said, “The government’s forward-thinking policies in clean energy and digital infrastructure have set a strong foundation for India’s energy transition. As we invest in AI, battery storage, and smart grid technologies, it’s inspiring to see the government prioritising skill development for our youth. 

 

"To build on this momentum, I strongly recommend further scaling up specialised training programmes in AI and advanced engineering, and deepening collaboration between industry and academic institutions. By doing so, we will ensure that India’s workforce remains globally competitive and well-equipped to lead the clean tech revolution and achieve our ambitious sustainability goals.”

 

India’s ambitious manufacturing targets and rapid renewable energy expansion are creating demand for professionals who are not only technically skilled but also adaptable to fast-changing business models and technologies.

 

Highlighting the widening talent gap in the power sector, Bharat S. Chhittarka, Managing Director, Trex Energy, noted, “When we talk about leveraging AI in clean energy, we have to remember that AI systems are only as smart as the experts who train them. Right now, there’s a clear lack of young electrical engineers in India, especially those specialising in AC power conversion and system integration. 

 

"The government needs to act by promoting electrical engineering as a viable and attractive career, especially at top institutes like IITs, and investing in hands-on training for the next generation. Without this renewed focus, both the clean-tech and traditional power sectors will continue to struggle with a lack of qualified talent.”

 

As automation and digitalisation accelerate across industries, experts emphasise that human expertise, creativity, and hands-on technical capabilities will remain indispensable.

 

Apoorv Shalugram, Co-founder & CEO, e-TRNL Energy, said, “AI is transforming the way we work, but there are certain roles it simply cannot replace, especially those that require great technical skill or creative problem-solving. 

 

"In cell manufacturing and materials development, for instance, hands-on expertise, critical observation, and iterative prototyping are essential. India has plenty of raw talent, but we need more focused, high-quality training to turn that potential into industry-ready professionals. I recommend that the government support the establishment of specialised training centres and targeted educational tracks that address real gaps in clean-tech and battery manufacturing."

 

The rapid deployment of renewable energy and energy storage systems is also increasing demand for professionals who can combine energy expertise with digital capabilities.

 

Anirudh Saraswat, Founder and CBO, TrueRE Oriana Power, said, "With renewable energy and energy storage deployments accelerating across India, our ability to develop a future-ready workforce will be a defining factor in achieving our energy transition goals. 

 

"The government can play a pivotal role by strengthening industry-academia partnerships, expanding vocational programmes in solar, energy storage, grid technologies and AI, and creating incentives for continuous workforce upskilling. AI has the potential to transform the sector by enabling predictive maintenance, accurate generation forecasting, grid optimisation and intelligent energy trading. 

 

"However, building a globally competitive and resilient clean energy ecosystem will require robust digital infrastructure, high-quality data ecosystems and a workforce equipped with both energy and AI capabilities."