India, a nation rapidly advancing in its industrial and economic pursuits, stands as a beacon of growth and development on the global stage. Central to its burgeoning infrastructure is the total installed power capacity, a critical metric that delineates the country’s energy prowess and its ability to meet the ever-growing demands of its populace and industries. With a blend of conventional and renewable energy sources, India’s installed power capacity serves as the backbone of its energy landscape, powering homes, businesses, and essential services alike. As the nation strides forward towards sustainable energy solutions and strives for greater energy security, understanding the dynamics and trends of its total installed power capacity becomes paramount in envisioning India’s energy future.
- India achieved its goal of attaining 40% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil energy sources by November 2021.
- This target was set as part of India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) during the COP 21 conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Paris Agreement).
- As of April 2016, India had 42,800 MW of installed renewable energy capacity.
- The majority of this capacity was developed by the State sector, comprising approximately 39%, followed by the Private sector at around 31%, and the Center at approximately 29%.
INSTALLED RENEWABLE ENERGY IN INDIA
As of April 2022, India’s renewable energy capacity reached 158.12 GW, representing 39.43% of the total installed power capacity.
Breakdown of renewable energy sources:
- Solar: 55.34 GW
- Wind: 40.53 GW
- Small hydro Power: 4.85 GW
- Bio-power: 10.68 GW
- Large Hydro: 46.72 GW
- India ranks fourth globally in terms of wind power capacity.
During COP26, India pledged to achieve 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
SIGNIFICANT INITIATIVES TAKEN BY GOVT.
- PM-KUSUM: Launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to promote off-grid solar pumps in rural areas and reduce grid reliance in connected areas.
- Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Program: A scheme supporting the manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV modules in India to reduce import dependence.
- Solar Parks Plan: A scheme aimed at facilitating large-scale grid-connected solar power projects, with a target capacity of 40 GW by March 2022.
- Phase II of the Rooftop Solar Program: Provides financial assistance for up to 4 GW of solar rooftop capacity in the residential sector and incentives for power distribution companies.
- Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme: A program to establish 12 GW of grid-connected solar PV power projects by Central Public Sector Undertakings using domestic cells and modules, with Viability Gap Funding support.
- Hydrogen Mission: Launched to make India a global hub for Green Hydrogen production and export.
- International Solar Alliance (ISA): An inter-governmental treaty-based organization aimed at catalyzing global solar growth by reducing the cost of solar financing and technology. It has 106 signatory countries.
- OSOWOG: Jointly released by India and the United Kingdom, this initiative aims to create a global interconnected solar energy infrastructure by 2030, ensuring clean, efficient power is accessible and cost-effective worldwide.
- National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy: Seeks to promote large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for optimal utilization of resources, transmission infrastructure, and land.
- National Offshore Wind Energy Policy: A policy notified in 2015 to develop offshore wind energy along the Indian coastline, leveraging the country’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
TARGETS:
The Government of India has outlined ambitious targets to address climate change and bolster renewable energy development. These targets include:
Carbon Emissions Reduction: Aiming to decrease India’s total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030, contributing significantly to global emissions reduction efforts.
Carbon Intensity Reduction: Striving to reduce the carbon intensity of the nation’s economy by less than 45% by the end of the decade, indicating a commitment to sustainable and low-carbon growth.
Net-Zero Carbon Emissions: Setting a long-term goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, demonstrating a commitment to long-term sustainability and climate resilience.
Renewable Energy Capacity: Endeavoring to increase India’s renewable energy installed capacity to 500 GW by 2030, signifying a substantial shift towards clean and sustainable energy sources.
Furthermore, significant progress has been made in the establishment of solar parks across the country, with 45 solar parks totaling 37 GW already approved. Notable operational solar parks such as those in Pavagada, Kurnool, and Bhadla-II showcase India’s commitment to large-scale renewable energy projects.
Gujarat’s initiative to construct the world’s largest renewable energy park, a 30 GW solar-wind hybrid project, highlights India’s innovative approach to renewable energy infrastructure development.
Moreover, India’s attractiveness for renewable energy investments is underscored by the substantial projects currently under construction, amounting to $196.98 billion. This indicates a conducive environment for private and public investment in renewable energy projects.
India’s significant contributions to global renewable energy capacity additions in 2021, ranking third globally, reaffirm its position as a key player in the global transition to clean energy.
Lastly, the Green Hydrogen Mission holds promise for sustainable energy production, aiming to produce 4.1 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually, further diversifying India’s renewable energy portfolio and contributing to its climate goals.
FAQs: Total Installed Power Capacity in India
1. What is the significance of achieving 40% installed electricity capacity from non-fossil energy sources by November 2021?
A: This achievement reflects India’s commitment to sustainable energy and its fulfillment of targets set under the Paris Agreement. It indicates a significant shift towards renewable energy sources and a reduction in fossil fuel dependency.
2. What were India’s installed renewable energy capacities as of April 2022?
A: As of April 2022, India’s renewable energy capacity stood at 158.12 GW, representing 39.43% of the total installed power capacity.
3. What are the major sources contributing to India’s renewable energy capacity?
A: The major sources include solar, wind, small hydro power, bio-power, and large hydro. Solar and wind energy contribute significantly to the overall capacity.
4-What initiatives has the Government of India taken to promote renewable energy?
A: The government has implemented various initiatives such as PM-KUSUM, Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Program, Solar Parks Plan, Rooftop Solar Program, CPSU Scheme, Hydrogen Mission, and more to promote renewable energy adoption and development.
5-What are the targets set by the Government of India regarding carbon emissions and renewable energy capacity?
A: The targets include reducing carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030, reducing carbon intensity by less than 45%, achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, and increasing renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
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