New research from ABB, developed with Sapio Research, finds that digital readiness for energy efficiency in India has reached 80 per cent, above the global average of 67 per cent. The survey of 2,700 senior decision makers across 15 countries and 15 industries reports that 64 per cent of respondents in India have already invested in energy efficiency and a further 32 per cent plan to do so within 12 months. Despite funding and intent, firms face execution gaps that limit measurable outcomes.

Energy absorbs 28 per cent of operating costs on average in India and more than seven in ten companies say rising costs threaten profitability, a greater concern than the global figure of 59 per cent. The report says the issue has moved from reacting to spikes to managing persistent volatility and structural exposure. Only 41 per cent of Indian companies consistently apply total cost of ownership when making investment decisions despite 80 per cent agreeing it should guide purchasing.

Responsibility for energy efficiency remains spread across executive management, operations, sustainability, maintenance and finance, with no single function clearly accountable. In India, workforce resistance to new technology and lack of specialist resources each affect 42 per cent of respondents, while 41 per cent report a gap in digital skills, all of which impede repeatable execution. The research also highlights a risk of post renewables complacency, with 42 per cent having switched to renewable sources and 36 per cent of those reducing their focus on efficiency.

ABB interprets the findings as a signal that delivery capability will define the next phase of the industrial transition and outlines diagnostics, targeted modernisation of motor driven systems, software enabled optimisation and lifecycle services as responses. Amit Gupta, Local Division President at ABB, is reported to have urged conversion of data into actionable insights and embedding of energy efficiency into organisational practice to improve profitability and resilience. The report concludes that firms able to bridge the execution gap will secure sustained performance improvements.