To modernize its massive building sector, India must focus on six key policy areas: energy efficiency, decarbonisation, smart digital systems, sustainable materials, climate resilience, and the ability for buildings to interact with the power grid. These essential enablers are the foundation for transforming the country’s urban landscape into a flexible and clean energy asset, according to the authors of the newly released report.
The report states that these attributes “collectively determine a country’s potential and readiness to advance efficient and grid-interactive buildings.” It further details that “the enablers are organised into six overarching categories: (1) energy efficiency, (2) decarbonisation, (3) smartness, (4) materials, (5) resilience, and (6) building-to-grid interaction.”
In simple terms, this means that for India to succeed, it is not enough to just make buildings use less power. The government needs to ensure buildings are constructed with eco-friendly materials, can withstand extreme weather, and use smart technology like sensors to communicate with the electricity grid. By doing this, buildings stop being just passive users of electricity and start helping to balance the power supply, especially as the country relies more on variable solar and wind energy.
The report “Efficient Grid-Interactive Buildings in India: Status and opportunities” was published by the International Energy Agency in March 2026. Authored by Ksenia Petrichenko and Simrat Kaur, the study provides a strategic roadmap for India to integrate energy efficiency with smart digital technologies to support the nation’s clean energy transition.
