India’s Energy GCCs Set for Green Surge to US$110B: EY Report
3 JUNE 2025 / 5 min read
With projections of a US$110 billion market and 2.8 million jobs, India's energy GCCs are poised for global leadership—but must first overcome talent gaps, policy hurdles, and infrastructure woes.
India’s energy Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are racing ahead in the global clean energy transition, with their market size projected to more than double to a whopping US$110 billion by 2030, according to a new EY report titled Harnessing the Growth of India’s Energy GCCs. These specialised units set up by multinational energy firms to drive innovation, R&D, digitalisation, and operations already employ over 20,000 professionals across cities like Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai. By the end of this decade, that number is expected to swell to 2.8 million.
But this boom is no cakewalk. The report highlights an intricate mix of growth drivers and bottlenecks, painting a picture of a sector that must sprint while navigating a minefield.
The Talent Tug-of-War
At the heart of India’s energy GCC promise lies its vast STEM talent pool: 2.5 million graduates and 1.5 million engineers annually. Yet, there’s a mismatch. The skills needed for green hydrogen production, wind energy systems, and smart grid deployment are in short supply. Global demand is intensifying competition, particularly from the US and Europe, where similar clean energy transitions are underway.
Companies are innovating around this gap. Shell, for instance, which employs over 13,000 people in India, is investing heavily in in-house training and digital skilling. Chevron, which plans to invest US$1 billion in a Bengaluru-based centre by 2025, is onboarding both fresh and mid-career engineers in petroleum, civil, and mechanical disciplines to build capacity in emerging areas like hydrogen blending and carbon capture.
Regulation: The Double-Edged Sword
India’s energy transition is deeply tied to policy. The government’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched with an ambitious ₹19,744 crore outlay, is pushing companies to develop low-carbon alternatives. While this creates a supportive ecosystem, the EY report warns that navigating evolving domestic and global regulations, particularly around ESG compliance and supply chain transparency, is a growing burden for GCCs.
“Energy GCCs must not only adhere to India’s sustainability goals but also align with the decarbonisation commitments of their parent companies abroad,” the report notes.
Infrastructure and the Coal Conundrum
India’s ageing power infrastructure poses another constraint. As electricity demand surges, the need for stable and flexible grid systems becomes urgent. EY recommends a strong push towards digitalisation, using AI, IoT, and smart grids to optimise operations and integrate renewables.
However, this comes at a cost. “Significant investment in automation and system upgrades is non-negotiable if GCCs are to maintain operational excellence,” the report states.
Complicating matters is India’s slow coal phase-out. While coal still accounts for over 70% of electricity generation, energy GCCs are being tasked with finding scalable, affordable alternatives—a process that requires global collaboration and tech transfer.
The Green Gold Rush: Renewables and Hydrogen
Despite the hurdles, the opportunity is immense. India’s renewable energy capacity, particularly in wind and solar, is growing fast. The country aims to boost wind capacity to 63 GW by 2030, up from 42.8 GW in 2023. Energy GCCs are leading the charge in engineering design, project development, and digital monitoring of these installations.
Green hydrogen is another high-growth area. Cities like Pune, Ahmedabad, and Chennai are emerging as hotspots for hydrogen research and deployment. The EY report identifies them as “hydrogen talent clusters,” where capabilities in storage, blending, and electrolyser tech are being built at pace.
BP’s Pune-based Technical Solutions India centre is a case in point. With over 2,300 employees, the centre is supporting both upstream and clean energy operations globally.
Collaboration is the New Competition
India’s competitive edge isn’t just about cost, it’s about capability. Global giants like BP, Shell, Chevron and Schlumberger are investing heavily in Indian GCCs not just for back-office support, but for high-impact, front-end innovation. These collaborations are elevating India from an outsourcing hub to a strategic node in global energy networks.
Shell’s expansive India operations span everything from renewables and R&D to integrated gas and downstream services. Chevron’s upcoming Bengaluru centre is expected to play a key role in the company’s energy transition strategy globally.
Still, the race isn’t one-sided. Countries like the Philippines, Poland, and Mexico are ramping up their own GCC ecosystems. To stay ahead, India will need to continue improving infrastructure, fast-track policy clarity, and double down on skilling.
Government's Role: Catalyst or Constraint?
The Indian government’s commitment to clean energy has undoubtedly created a favourable climate for GCCs. However, EY analysts stress that to truly capitalise on the global shift, policy must move faster, especially around land acquisition for renewables, export regulations for hydrogen, and R&D tax incentives.
At the same time, schemes like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) for solar PV and battery storage are opening up new verticals for GCCs to explore.
The Road Ahead
India’s energy GCCs are not just passive beneficiaries of the clean energy boom, they’re fast becoming architects of it. By combining domain expertise, tech innovation, and strategic partnerships, these centres are positioning India as a clean energy powerhouse.
But time is of the essence. The report concludes with a note of urgency: “To reach the projected US$110 billion valuation by 2030, India’s energy GCCs must scale with speed, skill, and sustainability at the core.”
In short, the opportunity is massive, but so is the responsibility. India’s energy GCCs are no longer just backrooms of the global power sector. They’re becoming its beating heart.
