India’s Renewable Energy Transition – UPSC Daily Editorial Analysis – 12th July 2024 – Edukemy

India is undergoing a significant shift towards renewable energy, aiming to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and promote cleaner, sustainable power sources. This transition involves increasing the use of solar, wind, and hydropower to meet the country’s growing energy needs while minimizing environmental impact. By investing in renewable energy, India seeks to combat climate change, improve air quality, and provide reliable electricity to millions of people. This move is not only crucial for the environment but also for the economy, as it creates jobs and boosts technological innovation. India’s renewable energy transition is a bold step towards a greener, healthier future for all.

Tags: GS Paper – 3, Ecology & Environment-  Renewable Energy- Government Policies & Interventions

Context: 

• India is embarking on an ambitious journey to expand its renewable energy (RE) capacity, aiming for 500 GW by 2030 and potentially 1 TW by 2035. 
• This push is driven by the need to meet growing energy demands while transitioning away from fossil fuels to combat climate change. 
• As of May 2024, India has achieved an installed RE capacity of 191 GW, including 85 GW of solar power, propelled by initiatives like the National Solar Mission.

Factors Driving India’s Renewable Energy Transition:

• Energy Security and Independence:
  • India imports over 80% of its oil needs, exposing it to global price fluctuations and geopolitical tensions. 
  • Expanding renewable energy reduces this dependence, with solar alone contributing significantly by 2023.
• Economic Competitiveness:
  • Solar energy has become cost-competitive with conventional sources. Auctions like Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam’s Phase XI set a record low tariff, driving investments from both public and private sectors.
• Climate Change Commitments:
  • At COP26, India committed to reducing carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. 
  • The 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target for 2030 aligns directly with these goals.
• Job Creation Potential:
  • The renewable sector offers substantial employment opportunities, estimated at 3.4 million jobs by 2030 through solar and wind capacity expansions.
  • Government initiatives like the PLI scheme for solar modules aim to enhance domestic manufacturing and job creation.
• International Cooperation and Pressure:
  • Leadership in the International Solar Alliance and partnerships such as the India-US Clean Energy and Climate Partnership facilitate technology transfer and knowledge sharing, bolstering India’s renewable energy efforts on the global stage.
• Water Scarcity:
  • Renewables, unlike thermal power plants, alleviate pressure on water resources in water-stressed regions. 
  • Maharashtra’s emphasis on solar power is driven in part by the region’s frequent droughts affecting thermal power generation.
• Investor Pressure and ESG Considerations:
  • Global investors increasingly prioritise Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, prompting Indian entities to accelerate renewable energy adoption. 
  • India’s significant issuance of green bonds underscores this shift towards sustainable investments.

What are the Major Challenges to India’s Renewable Energy Transition?

• Land Acquisition Hurdles:
  • Significant land requirements for RE projects, e.g., a 1 GW solar plant needs about 2,000 hectares.
  • Recent protests in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer against solar parks encroaching on grazing lands highlight conflicts over development and local rights.
• Stranded Asset Risk and Coal Sector Challenges:
  • India has substantial investments in coal-based power plants, with 8 stranded thermal plants as of April 2023.
  • Rapid RE transition may increase stranded assets, posing economic challenges, especially in coal-dependent regions like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
  • Different skill requirements in the RE sector create a workforce mismatch, notably affecting sectors like Coal India Limited employing over 270,000 people.
• Grid Integration and Stability Issues:
  • Increasing RE penetration raises concerns about grid stability.
  • Early wind power generation challenges in Tamil Nadu due to grid stability issues, necessitating regulatory measures in states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
• Intermittency and Storage Challenges:
  • Variable nature of REsources requires large-scale storage solutions.
  • India needs 38 GW of battery storage and 9 GW of thermal balancing power by 2030 for efficient integration of 450 GW of renewables.
  • Scaling up storage remains a challenge despite initial steps like Solar Energy Corporation of India’s 2021 tender.
• E-waste and End-of-Life Management:
  • Massive deployment of solar panels and batteries raises concerns about e-waste management.
  • India is projected to be a major producer of solar panel waste by 2050, lacking comprehensive recycling policies despite draft rules from MNRE in 2022.
• Geopolitical Resource Dependencies:
  • India’s RE transition heavily relies on critical minerals controlled by few countries.
  • For instance, China processes 80% of rare earth elements globally, while the Democratic Republic of Congo supplies 70% of mined cobalt, posing vulnerabilities to India’s RE supply chain and economic sovereignty.
• Biofuel Land Use Dilemma:
  • Ambitious biofuel targets compete with food production, exemplified by increased water-intensive sugarcane cultivation for ethanol production.
  • Creates a complex challenge at the nexus of food, water, and energy, especially in water-stressed states like Maharashtra.
• Climate Change Impacts on RE Infrastructure:
  • Climate change poses risks to RE infrastructure, such as increased cyclone frequency threatening offshore wind projects.
  • Changing precipitation patterns impact hydropower potential, as evidenced by the 2021 Uttarakhand floods damaging multiple hydro projects.
• Urban Planning and RE Integration:
  • Rapid urbanisation complicates RE integration, illustrated by inconsistent building codes for rooftop solar across Indian cities.
  • Limited open spaces in dense urban areas hinder large-scale RE projects, as seen in Mumbai’s challenges with solar adoption.

What are the Major Government Initiatives Related to Renewable Energy Transition?

• Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA):
  • Objective: To provide electricity connections to all households in rural and urban areas.
  • Implementation: Launched in September 2017, the scheme aims to achieve universal household electrification.
  • Impact: As of March 2022, over 2.8 crore households have been electrified under SAUBHAGYA.
• Green Energy Corridor (GEC):
  • Objective: Facilitate the grid integration of renewable energy sources (RES) through dedicated transmission lines.
  • Scope: Aims to create a robust and reliable renewable energy transmission infrastructure.
  • Progress: Several GEC projects are underway across different states to strengthen RES integration.
• National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) and Smart Meter National Programme:
  • Objective: Modernise the electricity grid to enhance efficiency, reliability, and resilience.
  • Components: NSGM focuses on smart grid deployment, while the Smart Meter National Programme aims to replace conventional metres with smart metres.
  • Implementation: Both initiatives are crucial for managing peak loads and integrating renewable energy effectively.
• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME):
  • Objective: Promote the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles to reduce vehicular emissions.
  • Incentives: Provides subsidies and incentives for electric vehicle (EV) buyers and manufacturers.
  • Phases: FAME India has been implemented in phases, with FAME II launched in 2019 to further boost EV adoption.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA):
  • Objective: Facilitate cooperation among solar-rich countries to harness solar energy.
  • Formation: Launched jointly by India and France in 2015, it aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote solar power globally.
  • Membership: It has over 90 member countries and aims to mobilise more than USD 1 trillion in solar investment by 2030.
• Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:
  • Objective: Provide solar-powered lighting and clean cooking solutions in rural households.
  • Implementation: Implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to promote solar energy usage.
  • Impact: Aims to reduce dependence on traditional fuels and improve energy access in remote areas.

What Measures can India Adopt to Ensure a Smoother Transition to Renewable Energy?

• Floating Solar Revolution:
  • Develop large-scale floating solar projects on reservoirs and coastal areas to maximise RE capacity without land use conflicts. 
  • Integration with hydroelectric infrastructure enhances energy output.
• Land Leasing Revolution:
  • Implement long-term land leasing programs for solar farms, allowing farmers to retain ownership and earn from RE projects. 
  • Agrivoltaic systems can enable dual land use for agriculture and solar energy.
• Renewable Energy Special Economic Zones (RE-SEZs):
  • Establish dedicated zones with streamlined regulations and incentives to attract global RE companies. 
  • Foster end-to-end ecosystems for RE manufacturing and R&D, boosting domestic supply chain and economic growth.
• Workforce Transition From Coal to Clean Energy:
  • Launch a “Green Collar” initiative to retrain coal sector workers for RE jobs.
  • Establish RE manufacturing hubs in coal-dependent regions with phased transition plans for workforce adaptation.
• Blockchain-Powered Decentralised Energy Trading:
  • Implement peer-to-peer energy trading using blockchain to enable prosumers to sell excess energy. 
  • Enhance grid flexibility, incentivize small-scale RE adoption, and reduce transmission losses.
• Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) for Urban Environments:
  • Promote VAWTs in cities to tap urban wind energy potential. Integrated into urban infrastructure, they minimise visual and noise impacts, diversifying India’s urban RE mix alongside rooftop solar.
• Green Hydrogen Highways:
  • Establish green hydrogen production and distribution centres along major transport corridors. 
  • Use excess renewable energy for hydrogen production to fuel hydrogen-powered vehicles, addressing storage and decarbonization challenges.
• Solar Thermal Oases:
  • Develop CSP plants in arid regions integrated with greenhouse agriculture.
  • Use excess heat for desalination and year-round cultivation of high-value crops, addressing energy, water, and food security.
• Waste-to-Energy Circular Parks:
  • Create integrated waste management and energy production facilities using technologies like anaerobic digestion and gasification. 
  • Generate energy for the grid and biochar for agriculture, transforming waste management into a resource-generating system

Source: FE

FAQs on India’s Renewable Energy Transition

Q: What is India’s renewable energy transition?

Answer: India’s renewable energy transition refers to the country’s shift from using traditional fossil fuels like coal and oil to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. This transition aims to produce cleaner, sustainable energy to reduce pollution and combat climate change.

Q: Why is India focusing on renewable energy?

Answer: India is focusing on renewable energy to reduce its carbon footprint, improve air quality, and meet its growing energy demands sustainably. Renewable energy sources are abundant and can help India become more energy-independent while addressing environmental concerns.

Q: What are the main sources of renewable energy in India?

Answer: The main sources of renewable energy in India are solar power, wind power, hydropower, and biomass. Solar and wind energy are particularly prominent due to India’s favorable climatic conditions and geographic location.

Q: How does renewable energy benefit the economy?

Answer: Renewable energy benefits the economy by creating jobs, reducing energy costs in the long run, and attracting investments in green technologies. It also reduces dependency on imported fuels, which can stabilize energy prices and improve energy security.

Q: What challenges does India face in its renewable energy transition?

Answer: India faces several challenges in its renewable energy transition, including the need for significant investments in infrastructure, integrating renewable energy into the existing power grid, and managing the intermittent nature of sources like solar and wind. Overcoming these challenges requires coordinated efforts from the government, private sector, and international partners.

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