Ratul Puri on AI and Energy: Why Intelligent Power Systems Will Drive India's Future

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries across the world, from healthcare and manufacturing to financial services and logistics. Its impact on the energy sector, however, could be one of the most significant. While AI is expected to increase electricity demand through the rapid growth of data centres and digital infrastructure, it also offers an opportunity to make power systems more efficient, reliable and responsive. According to Ratul Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Power, AI should be seen not only as a driver of electricity demand but also as a technology that can improve the way energy is generated, managed and delivered.

The growing adoption of AI is creating a significant need for reliable electricity. Modern data centres operate around the clock, processing enormous volumes of information and supporting AI applications that require uninterrupted power. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global data centres consumed around 415 TWh of electricity in 2024. By 2030, this figure is expected to reach nearly 945 TWh, driven largely by the rapid expansion of AI-powered computing and digital infrastructure. As countries race to build digital infrastructure, ensuring a stable and dependable power supply is becoming just as important as expanding computing capacity.

According to Ratul Puri, AI-driven industries will require reliable, high-quality electricity at all times. He believes this presents an opportunity for India to strengthen its energy infrastructure while supporting the country's digital growth. As investments in AI continue to rise, building dependable generation capacity, stronger transmission networks and modern grid infrastructure will become increasingly important for sustaining economic growth.

Ratul Puri believes renewable energy must be supported by technologies that improve reliability. As he observed, "doing solar without battery makes limited sense." Solar power generates electricity during daylight hours, but demand often continues long after the sun has set. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) bridge this gap by storing surplus renewable energy and supplying it when it is needed most. This improves grid stability, reduces dependence on conventional power during peak hours and makes renewable energy more dependable.

AI can further strengthen this transition by making electricity systems smarter. Intelligent software can analyse vast amounts of operational data, forecast electricity demand, predict renewable energy generation and optimise battery charging and discharging. Better forecasting enables utilities to balance supply and demand more efficiently, reducing energy waste and improving the utilisation of renewable resources. The International Energy Agency has identified AI as an important tool for improving grid operations and supporting the integration of clean energy into electricity systems.

India's electricity network is also becoming more complex as renewable energy capacity continues to expand. Managing variable solar and wind generation requires faster decision-making and greater operational flexibility. AI can help utilities monitor grid conditions in real time, anticipate potential bottlenecks and improve system performance before disruptions occur. These capabilities can enhance grid reliability while enabling higher levels of renewable energy integration.

For Ratul Puri, the discussion around AI is not limited to rising electricity consumption. It is equally about creating an energy ecosystem that is intelligent, flexible and prepared for future demand. As AI becomes increasingly embedded across industries, technologies that improve forecasting, optimise energy use and strengthen grid resilience will play an equally important role in supporting India's economic growth.

India's energy transition will therefore depend on more than adding renewable capacity. It will require investment in battery storage, modern transmission infrastructure and intelligent grid management that allows clean energy to be delivered whenever it is needed. AI has the potential to connect these elements by improving operational efficiency across the electricity value chain.

As Chairman Ratul Puri has always emphasised, the future of India's power sector lies in combining clean energy with intelligent technologies. AI can help utilities forecast demand more accurately, improve renewable integration, optimise battery storage and strengthen grid reliability. Together, these capabilities can support a cleaner, more efficient and more reliable electricity system that is ready to power both India's energy transition and its rapidly expanding digital economy.

About Ratul Puri:-

Ratul Puri is the Chairman of Hindustan Power, an integrated power generation company with a strong presence in renewable and transitional energy generation. Over the years, Ratul Puri has been involved in the development of large-scale energy infrastructure projects that support India’s growing power requirements and its transition toward cleaner energy sources.