Advancing Renewable Energy in India: Key Initiatives and Progress
India is taking significant strides to boost renewable energy capacity, aiming for a 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030. Here’s a look at the recent developments and government initiatives driving this transformation:
Renewable Energy Capacity Expansion
- Bidding Trajectory for Renewable Energy: The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a target for Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies to issue bids of 50 GW annually from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28.
- 100% FDI in Renewable Energy: Government permits up to 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under the automatic route. Hence, this facilitates increased foreign participation in the renewable sector.
- Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) Waiver: Government has waived ISTS charges for inter-state solar and wind power sales until June 2025, Green Hydrogen Projects until December 2030, and offshore wind projects until December 2032.
Policies and Regulations
- Renewable Purchase and Consumption Obligations: A trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) and Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) has been set until 2029-30. Non-compliance by designated consumers will result in penalties under the Energy Conservation Act 2001.
- Standard Bidding Guidelines: Guidelines have been issued for tariff-based competitive bidding to procure power from grid-connected solar, wind, wind-solar hybrid, and firm & dispatchable renewable energy projects.
Government Schemes and Support
- Key Schemes: Initiatives like PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, National High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules Programme, and National Green Hydrogen Mission have been launched to promote renewable energy.
- Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks: This scheme provides land and transmission infrastructure for large-scale installation of renewable energy projects.
- Green Energy Corridor Scheme: Funded for developing new transmission lines and sub-station capacity for renewable power evacuation.
- Offshore Wind Energy Strategy: A strategy outlines a bidding trajectory of 37 GW by 2030 and different business models for project development.
Infrastructure and Market Development
- Transmission Infrastructure Plan: Government has prepared a comprehensive transmission plan to support the growing renewable energy trajectory till 2030.
- Green Energy Open Access and GTAM: The Electricity Rules, 2022, facilitate green energy access for consumers with a contract demand of 100 kW or more. Also, the government has launched the Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) to support renewable energy trading.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: With a budget of Rs. 24,000 crore, the PLI scheme aims to boost domestic manufacturing of High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules on a GW scale.
Grid Integration and Stability
- Grid Integration Measures: Plans for intra-state transmission networks and strong interconnections with ISTS schemes are underway to maintain grid reliability and stability.
- Technical Standards and Compliance: The CEA regulations ensure safe and secure grid operations. CTUIL and Grid-India/RLDCs verify these, before connecting new renewable plants.
- Role of Renewable Plants in Grid Stability: The Indian Electricity Grid Code mandates participation in frequency control. Above all, this promotes hybrid renewable power plants and energy storage systems to mitigate variability.
The Minister of State, Shri Shripad Naik, stated these initiatives and measures in the Rajya Sabha. All in all, these underline India’s commitment to renewable energy and its integration into the national grid. Consequently, these will support sustainability and energy security.
ANNEXURE-I
Details of energy supplied in the country during the last three years and current year (till October, 2024)
| Year | Energy Supplied |
| (MU) | |
| 2021-22 | 1,374,024 |
| 2022-23 | 1,505,914 |
| 2023-24 | 1,622,020 |
| 2024-25 (till October,2024) | 1,025,379 |
ANNEXURE-II
The details of source wise generation is given in Annexure II. It indicates the quantum and percentage of energy that the renewable sources generated. The data is for the last three year and the current year (till October, 2024)
| Fuel | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25(Upto Oct,2024) | |||||
| Generation (in Million Units) | % of Total Generation | Generation (in Million Units) | % of Total Generation | Generation (in Million Units) | % of Total Generation | Generation (in Million Units) | % of Total Generation | ||
| THERMAL | COAL | 1041487.43 | 69.81 | 1145907.58 | 70.54 | 1260902.62 | 72.50 | 760676.37 | 68.87 |
| DIESEL/HSD | 117.24 | 0.01 | 229.71 | 0.01 | 400.58 | 0.02 | 256.98 | 0.02 | |
| LIGNITE | 37094.04 | 2.49 | 36188.34 | 2.23 | 33949.79 | 1.95 | 19839.27 | 1.80 | |
| MULTI FUEL | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | ||||
| NAPTHA | 0 | 0.00 | 0.83 | 0.00 | 0.03 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| NATURAL GAS | 36015.77 | 2.41 | 23884.21 | 1.47 | 31295.91 | 1.80 | 23503.13 | 2.13 | |
| THERMAL Total | 1114714.48 | 74.72 | 1206210.67 | 74.25 | 1326548.93 | 76.28 | 804275.75 | 72.82 | |
| NUCLEAR | 47112.06 | 3.16 | 45861.09 | 2.82 | 47937.41 | 2.76 | 33095.54 | 3.00 | |
| HYDRO | 151627.33 | 10.16 | 162098.77 | 9.98 | 134053.92 | 7.71 | 109037.18 | 9.87 | |
| Bhutan Import | 7493.2 | 0.50 | 6742.4 | 0.42 | 4716.1 | 0.27 | 5087.2 | 0.46 | |
| Conventional Total | 1320947.07 | 88.54 | 1420912.93 | 87.47 | 1513256.36 | 87.01 | 951495.67 | 86.15 | |
| Renewable Total | 170912.30 | 11.46 | 203552.68 | 12.53 | 225834.83 | 12.99 | 152960.81 | 13.85 | |
| Grand Total | 1491859.37 | 100.00 | 1624465.61 | 100.00 | 1739091.19 | 100.00 | 1104456.48 | 100.00 | |
Per Capita Consumption of Energy
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