With the right policies, India can become a world leader in clean tech: Wärtsilä Energy president Anders Lindberg
A. To some degree, yes—but only in certain sectors. The cost of solar, wind and battery storage has dropped dramatically. They are now the cheapest energy sources in many parts of the world, so their momentum won't stop. They make commercial sense even without subsidies. However, green fuels like hydrogen and ammonia still rely on financial support to become cost-competitive. Removing US subsidies will likely delay their scale-up.advertisementQ. With China issuing new climate bonds and America's policy in flux, where does Europe stand? And what does this mean for India?A. Europe's role is becoming more cautious, but I don't believe the EU has backed away from its climate commitments. That said, we have noticed that globally, the terminology is shifting from "climate action" to "energy transition", signalling a softer political stance. This gives India a great opportunity. Geopolitical rebalancing is prompting many companies to diversify supply chains, and India stands to benefit.Q. India is pushing hard on clean tech manufacturing. What's your assessment of this national mission?A. It's a smart move. India can absolutely become a major player in clean tech manufacturing. As a business, we are also expanding our manufacturing footprint here. Our facility in Khopoli, Maharashtra, is designed not only for the Indian market but also to export to the US, Europe and South America. With current geopolitical tensions, this is a competitive edge India must seize.Q. The Nordic countries often appear supportive of clean tech, but investments in India have been cautious. Why?A. In my experience, the hesitation is not ideological—it's commercial. Companies want to see both a competitive export base and a robust domestic market. If India ensures demand for clean tech domestically, more Nordic firms will follow. Past investment challenges have made some boardrooms cautious, but that can change with policy stability and demonstrated success.advertisementQ. What role do balancing engine power plants play in renewable-heavy grids?A. A crucial one. When renewable penetration goes up, system flexibility becomes vital. We have done studies in over 200 countries and regions, including India, showing that supplementing renewables with balancing engine power plants can save trillions globally. These engines run only when needed, helping to avoid overbuilding solar and wind capacity. They cut CO? emissions and make renewable investment more viable.Q. Can you elaborate on Wrtsil's approach to flexibility in energy systems?A. Our engines can ramp from zero to full load in just two minutes, making them ideal for handling intermittency in solar and wind. Unlike traditional gas or coal plants, these units are modular and highly responsive. We recommend that India, which plans to add 500 GW of renewables by 2030, also includes at least 9 GW of balancing capacity for grid stability.Q. India has limited gas availability and stranded gas plants. Does that impact Wrtsil's strategy?advertisementA. Not necessarily. Our technology is designed for flexibility. Balancing power plants don't run continuously—they operate during demand spikes or renewable lulls. So gas consumption is relatively low. Also, we are future-proofing our engines to run on green fuels like hydrogen and ammonia as they become available.Q. How does this model compare with battery storage? Do they compete?A. Not at all. They complement each other. Energy storage is excellent for short-duration balancing—seconds to a few hours. Engine plants work better for longer durations—days or weeks. Together, they create a resilient, flexible grid.Q. How can India unlock more investment from Nordic and European firms in this sector?A. By ensuring two things: policy clarity and domestic market size. If India can signal stable long-term demand and create a level playing field, investment will come. Many companies are eager to de-risk their China exposure, and India is the natural alternative.Q. What's your view on the International Solar Alliance's One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative?A. Interconnectivity is important and complements flexibility. OSOWOG can extend the utility of solar across time zones. But it won't eliminate the need for local balancing. It's a helpful tool, not a standalone solution. We need a mix of interconnectors, energy storage and flexible generation.advertisementQ. Looking ahead, what are you most optimistic about regarding India's clean energy roadmap and its role in balancing technologies?A. I'm genuinely optimistic about India's ability to lead on clean energy innovation. The ambitious 500 GW renewable target by 2030 is inspiring, and it demonstrates vision at the top. India has the opportunity to set global benchmarks by integrating flexible balancing technologies early in its transition journey. What excites me most is the openness we are seeing from policymakers and industry leaders to adopt smarter, future-ready systems. If India adopts the right mix of generation and flexibility mechanisms, it can leapfrog legacy systems and become a reference model for the rest of the world.Q. Any final thoughts?A. Yes, India should know that Wrtsil is not new here. We have been in India since the early 1980s and have installed more than 4 GW of power plants. We are committed to India's energy transition journey, and with the right policies in place, the country can lead the world in clean, flexible and future-ready power systems.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
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