India’s power system has advanced in time-based operations, with electricity scheduled and dispatched in 15-minute intervals. Yet, the country’s clean energy accounting still largely operates on an annual basis, masking the mismatch between when renewable energy is generated and when it is consumed.

Bridging this gap through hourly or granular energy tracking could redefine how corporates procure clean power, how markets evolve, and how India aligns with emerging global standards for 24/7 carbon-free energy.

In an exclusive interview with Mercom India, Shailesh Telang, Head of Asia Pacific at EnergyTag, shares insights on how India can transition toward hourly clean energy matching, the role of storage and round-the-clock (RTC) procurement, and why the real challenge is not data availability, but making it accessible, verifiable, and usable.

EnergyTag promotes the concept of hourly matching of electricity consumption with clean energy within the same grid. How do you enable this in practice, particularly in markets that are still evolving in terms of data availability and regulatory frameworks?

In India, the starting point is that the system already operates with 15-minute scheduling and dispatch, so the foundation for hourly or sub-hourly matching is in place. What is missing is the link between this operational reality and clean energy claims and procurement.

We are already seeing this shift in RTC tenders such as SECI-RTC-TM-V, which require developers to meet demand-fulfillment obligations in each time block. This effectively introduces time-based clean power delivery, not just annual energy supply.

To enable hourly matching, three elements are needed: firm clean power (renewables plus storage), time-based system operation, and a credible tracking layer. India has progressed on the first two; the next step is to make this visible and verifiable.

How do you see the concept of granular or hourly energy tracking fitting into India’s current power market structure, especially given the central role of DISCOM-led systems and the existing market?

At the system level, time-block data is used for dispatch and settlement. At the consumer level, DISCOMs already measure time-stamped consumption, especially for C&I consumers under Time-of-Day (ToD) tariffs /open access power purchase agreements (PPAs). The gap is not in data creation but in access and usability.

India’s transition is also unique: it is starting with time-based delivery through RTC and FDRE tenders, rather than with certificates. Granular tracking becomes the layer that connects this system reality to credible claims.

What, in your view, are the key regulatory and policy challenges in implementing granular certificates in India, especially when compared with more mature markets?

The key challenge is that India’s REC (renewable energy certificates) system was designed for compliance, not for granular tracking.  RECs support RPO compliance and incentivize renewable generation, but they do not capture when or where electricity is generated, which is essential for hourly matching.

The practical pathway is evolution, not replacement. This can happen by adding time-stamped attributes to RECs, or by creating a parallel granular layer that builds on existing certificates.

The challenge is not technical; it is about adapting an existing system without disrupting it.

Given India’s REC mechanism, how do you see granular certificates coexisting or evolving alongside it?

RECs will continue to serve compliance markets, while voluntary granular certificates can address gaps in temporal and locational attributes.

In practice, this means starting with a parallel layer for voluntary markets, while gradually evolving RECs to include time-based attributes. Given India’s shift toward time-based procurement through RTC and FDRE, this is a natural progression.

Do you see strong demand from Indian corporates for 24/7 clean energy, or is the market still primarily focused on cost competitiveness and annual renewable energy targets?

Today, the market is still driven by cost competitiveness and annual targets. However, the direction of travel is changing.

Banking provisions are tightening from yearly to monthly, reducing the ability to average renewable supply over time. Combined with ToD tariffs, this is pushing consumers toward more time-aligned consumption.

At the same time, system design is outpacing demand through RTC and FDRE procurement and increased storage deployment.

Global drivers will accelerate this shift. Reporting standards such as GHG Protocol Scope 2 and ISO 14064-1, along with trade-linked requirements like Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin are increasing the importance of time-aligned clean energy. Projects like the Gentari-backed AMG ammonia project already reflect this shift.

So while demand is still emerging, the system is already moving in that direction, and demand will follow.

How can granular energy tracking support India’s growing C&I (commercial and industrial) renewable procurement segment?

As banking provisions tighten and ToD tariffs become more relevant, companies must understand when renewable supply is available and where they remain exposed to grid power, especially during peak hours.

This is important as procurement shifts toward hybrid and storage-backed solutions, which can provide round-the-clock clean power and hedge exposure to peak pricing.

Granular tracking supports 24/7 clean energy goals and emerging global requirements, but more importantly, it enables better commercial decision-making in a changing market.

What role do you think open-access policies and green open-access rules in India will play in enabling hourly matching?

Open access is foundational because it allows consumers to choose and structure their power procurement.

Earlier, open access relied on renewable energy with annual banking, which enabled annual matching but masked timing mismatches. As banking tightens, consumers are pushed toward closer alignment between generation and consumption.

Combined with storage-backed PPAs and ToD pricing, this is driving the market toward round-the-clock clean power and time-aligned procurement.

Are there any pilot projects or early adopters in India that have explored granular tracking or similar concepts? What have been the key learnings?

One example is the PDG hourly CFE solution, implemented with Flexidao and Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, which enabled automated hourly matching of consumption with clean energy for a data center in Mumbai.

Another relevant example is the AMG Ammonia Project, supported by Gentari, which is being designed around an RTC clean power supply to meet international requirements such as EU RFNBO.

Key learnings include that feasibility is proven, Data exists, but is fragmented, Adoption will be sector-led, and Market design is already aligned.

Do you think India’s increasing focus on energy storage and hybrid projects could accelerate the adoption of 24/7 clean energy solutions?

Yes, this is the single biggest accelerator.

In India, 24/7 clean energy is being driven by physical system changes, not just accounting frameworks.

What would be the ideal pathway for India to transition from annual renewable accounting to more granular systems without disrupting existing markets?

India should follow a phased approach. The REC system should remain stable for compliance, while a voluntary granular layer is introduced for early adopters. At the same time, existing trends, RTC procurement, storage deployment, and digital metering, should be leveraged. Over time, RECs can evolve to include time-based attributes.