The Energy Transition in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India’s remote island territory stretching from Landfall Island in the north to Indira Point in the south, are emerging as a unique frontier in the country’s energy transition. With over 95% of the region’s 130 MW peak demand currently met by imported diesel, energy costs are significantly higher than on the mainland, and supply is vulnerable to shipping disruptions. In response, the Union Territory administration is accelerating clean energy deployment, beginning with a 21 MW solar-plus-battery project expected to save 16 million litres of diesel annually. The islands have identified more than 200 MW of solar potential across available land and rooftops. Beyond energy infrastructure, the archipelago is strategically positioned over seabed formations containing polymetallic nodules and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts. These deep-sea deposits hold critical minerals such as cobalt, manganese, nickel, copper and rare-earth elements, essential for EV batteries, wind turbines and hydrogen electrolysers. By linking renewable energy expansion with long-term mineral exploration and green hydrogen pilots, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands could become a self-sustaining clean energy and critical mineral hub supporting India’s broader 500 GW renewable target.