India’s energy transition is usually discussed in terms of renewable power, electric vehicles, battery storage and green hydrogen. However, there is another important part of this shift that deserves attention: the raw materials required to develop these technologies. As countries compete for access to critical minerals, strengthening domestic resources is becoming an important part of India’s long-term energy and economic plans.
The Padhar Platinum Group Elements (PGE) block in Madhya Pradesh is relevant in this context. A group company of Hindustan Power has been awarded a Letter of Intent for the block, which covers around 200 square kilometres. The area is prospective for platinum group elements and also contains zinc deposits, making it an important area for further exploration.
The importance of the project extends beyond the minerals themselves. Platinum group elements are used in several technologies associated with the energy transition, including hydrogen production, fuel cells and catalytic systems. Zinc also has a wide range of industrial applications, from infrastructure and energy systems to battery technologies.
For India, developing domestic mineral resources could help reduce dependence on overseas supplies and limit the impact of disruptions in international markets. The country still relies on imports for several important minerals, while the production of certain resources is concentrated in a small number of countries. Geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions and problems with global logistics can affect supply chains, creating challenges for industries that India is looking to expand.
Ratul Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Power, said, “Securing this critical mineral block is an important step in strengthening India’s resource resilience. Platinum group elements are key to next-generation technologies that will shape the future of energy, mobility and advanced manufacturing, including production of clean hydrogen, fuel cells, electronic and catalytic systems.”
The need for these minerals is expected to grow as India expands its green hydrogen, renewable power, energy storage and electric mobility sectors. These industries are changing how energy is produced and used, while also increasing demand for different metals and minerals. Access to these resources is therefore becoming an important consideration in the country’s wider industrial development.
Ratul Puri also highlighted the importance of building domestic resources through a responsible approach to exploration. “With this exploration, we aim to build a reliable domestic resource base for critical minerals, while taking a disciplined and responsible approach. This will support India’s broader priorities of supply chain security and energy leadership,” Puri said.
The Padhar project also reflects a broader change in the global industrial landscape. As the transition towards cleaner energy continues, countries are paying greater attention to the raw materials needed for clean-energy equipment, electric mobility and advanced technologies. Securing these resources is increasingly linked to industrial competitiveness and the ability to develop new industries.
For Hindustan Power, the exploration also represents an expansion into an area that could become increasingly important to the future of energy and manufacturing. As Ratul Puri explained, “For Hindustan Power, this exploration reflects the natural evolution of the company as we expand beyond our established strengths in energy into areas that will define the future industrial landscape.”
As the global shift towards cleaner energy continues, access to the minerals needed for emerging technologies will remain an important consideration for India. Expanding geological exploration and improving knowledge of domestic mineral resources can help the country prepare for the growing needs of renewable energy, green hydrogen, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing. The Padhar PGE block is part of this wider effort to understand and develop India's mineral potential.
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.
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