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Maharashtra Gets Rs 1.29 lakh crore Boost for RE

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Maharashtra has secured a substantial boost for its renewable energy sector. The state government has signed seven Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with various companies, involving an investment of Rs 1.29 lakh crore and creating over 37,000 jobs, including three under the pumped storage power scheme and four in the clean and green energy sector.

In the first instance, the state has signed four different MoUs with SJVN, MahaGenco Renewable Energy Ltd, RECPDCL, THDC and HPRGE-HPCL, collectively valued at Rs 47,500 crore for renewable energy generation.

The projects will be in line with the state government’s aim to achieve 50 percent renewable energy by 2030. The development of these projects will create 18,828 jobs, said Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister, and Energy and Irrigation Minister.

The projects:

In the first instance, RECPDCL – REC will collaborate with the state government to develop commercially viable renewable energy projects, including a 500 MW hybrid project with an initial investment of Rs 3,000 crore, generating 1,663 jobs.

The second project with THDCIL-THDC involves developing renewable energy projects in the state, with an investment of Rs 29,329 crore, generating 14,130 direct and 4,250 indirect jobs.

The MoU with HPRGE-HPCL Renewable and Green Energy Limited Company is to develop a 50 KTPA green hydrogen and its derivative plant at MahaGenco’s gas-based power project in Uran in Raigad district.

This will be developed through a joint venture company with an investment of Rs 12,000 crore. The project will create 1,635 direct and indirect jobs.

SJVN is partnering with MahaGenco to develop a floating solar plant on Lower Wardha Dam, with a 51:49 equity participation. The project, estimated to cost Rs 3,030 crore, will generate 1,400 jobs and utilize power transmission infrastructure.

DCM shares:

“MoUs were signed for power generation of 15,100 MW under a pumped storage scheme, with an investment of around ₹82,299 crore. This initiative will create employment for 18,440 people. Maharashtra has made significant progress through this scheme, and today’s MoU marks an important step toward a greener and cleaner energy future for the state,” Mr Fadnavis said.

“After these MoUs, Maharashtra will significantly enhance its generation capacity under pumped storage and it will reach 55,970 MW, with a total investment of around ₹3 lakh crore, creating approximately 90,000 employment opportunities. This will also position Maharashtra as a future leader in the PSP policy.”

“The signing of 4 MoUs with a staggering investment of around ₹47,000 crore, will generate approximately 19,000 employment opportunities. Sectors such as ARI, green hydrogen, and green ammonia will enhance green energy initiatives and help Maharashtra progress towards its goal of using 50 percent clean energy by 2030. Green energy generation is essential today, as it represents a step forward toward Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji’s dream of achieving net zero. Maharashtra has a strong track record with its MoUs, consistently maintaining a national average of 60 percent success rate. This marks an important move to transform MoUs into actionable outcomes. Our Govt will extend all required support.”

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Can India Scale to Meet to its RE Targets?

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CEEW, the independent think tank has raised some eye-opening questions regarding India’s RE target achievements. As per them, scaling India’s renewables beyond 1,500 GW will face considerable land, water, population, and climate challenges.

It is assessed that India has a renewable energy (RE) potential of over 24,000 GW.

India currently has an installed RE capacity of 150 GW, and up to 1,500 GW, the constraints are relatively manageable. But reaching the ~7,000 GW required to achieve net zero emissions by 2070 will require a holistic approach.

Challenges such as land access, climate risks, land conflicts, population density, and other multiple constraints could intensify. This could narrow the runway to reach the net zero target.

These are the findings of a new study by the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW). The study is titled, ‘Unlocking India’s RE and Green Hydrogen Potential: An Assessment of Land, Water, and Climate Nexus.’

According to the study, renewable energy including solar, wind, and green hydrogen, is crucial to realise India’s climate goals. However scaling up these technologies will require strategic land use, improved water management, and resilient power grid infrastructure.

Some challenges:

A considerable portion of India’s RE potential is in high-climate-risk and high-land-price areas—only 18 percent of onshore wind potential and 22 percent of solar potential are located in areas with low climate risks and low land prices, when looked at in isolation.

However, the challenges to realizing this potential increase when other constraints such as population density, land conflicts and seasonality of solar power are factored in.

  • Population density: Only 29 percent of onshore wind potential and 27 percent of solar potential in areas with a population density lower than 250 people/km2.
  • Land conflicts: About 35 percent of onshore wind potential and 41 percent of solar potential located in areas free from historical land conflicts.

However, earthquakes are less of a concern, as 83 percent of onshore wind and 77 percent of solar potential are located in low to moderate seismic zones.

States with high unconstrained RE potential:

As per the CEEW study:

  1. Rajasthan (6,464 GW), Madhya Pradesh (2,978 GW), Maharashtra (2,409 GW) and Ladakh (625 GW) have significant low-cost solar potential
  2. Karnataka (293 GW), Gujarat (212 GW), and Maharashtra (184 GW) offer considerable wind potential.
  3. Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, with high RE potential backed by land banks and infrastructure to evacuate renewable power and manage seasonality, could emerge as key players in meeting India’s renewable energy ambitions in the coming decades.
Green hydrogen push:

CEEW opines that green hydrogen could play a significant role in India’s clean energy transition.

The study estimates that the country could produce around 40 MTPA at a cost lower than $3.5/kg. Water availability and management impact the cost of green hydrogen projects.

This cost is expected to decrease further with advancements in electrolyzer technology and more efficient RE systems.

Low-cost green hydrogen could be produced in western and southern India, with Gujarat leading the production with an estimated potential of 8.8 MTPA at less than $3.5/kg, followed by Karnataka and Maharashtra with 5 MTPA each.

CEEW states:

Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW, said, “India stands at a pivotal juncture in its energy transition. It has set out to do the near impossible: provide energy access to millions of people, clean up one of the world’s largest energy systems, and become a green industrial powerhouse. While our RE potential is vast, the road to net zero is fraught with challenges. From land conflicts and population density to the unpredictable but undeniable impact of climate change, every step forward will demand resilience and innovation.”

According to her, the scale of the task ahead is monumental. “Yet it is precisely this challenge that will define India’s legacy as a trailblazer for the Global South—a country that charts a low carbon pathway to prosperity against all odds.”

Hemant Mallya, Fellow, CEEW, said, “Land and water are critical resources for scaling up RE and green hydrogen in India. Prevention of desertification and innovative solutions to address land availability, such as agro-voltaics in horticulture and rooftop solar in dense Indian cities, will be essential. Moreover, as RE projects move into areas with higher climate risks, insurance companies could increasingly hesitate to provide coverage. Involving all stakeholders in the early stage of renewable project development and addressing climate risks will help ensure projects are commercially viable in the long run.”

Key takeaways:

The CEEW study recommends a comprehensive approach that includes all stakeholders to ensure that India’s ambitious RE and green hydrogen targets are met sustainably and equitably. The steps include:

  • Validating potential using higher-quality data and on-ground assessments is crucial, as current data may not fully reflect real conditions.
  • States should establish graded land banks that consider RE quality, water availability, and proximity to infrastructure to ensure rapid project development.
  • Evaluating and enhancing grid infrastructure resilience, particularly in regions with high RE seasonality, to support large-scale deployment.
  • Revising water management policies to prioritize energy production and assessing the need for surface water storage will be vital to sustaining green hydrogen production and mitigating resource challenges.

Link to the  report

 

 

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5 Ways in Which Amazon Achieved its 100% RE Target

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Amazon has achieved 100 percent renewable energy target seven years ahead of the set goal.

It be noted that Amazon established a goal in 2019 to run all of its global operations, including fulfilment centers, corporate offices, grocery stores, and data centers, entirely on renewable energy by 2030.

As of 2023, Amazon sourced all of the electricity needed for its operations, including its data centers, from renewable energy sources.

Here are the 5 ways in which the company obtained its target.
1. Investments:

The company has invested billions of dollars in over 500 solar and wind projects worldwide. Combined, these projects have the capacity to generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 7.6 million American homes.

As a result, it has become the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in the world for four years running, according to Bloomberg NEF.

The company is investing heavily in increasing the proportion of renewable energy in its portfolio. It seeks new carbon-free energy sources to complement and balance its current energy needs.

2. Collaboration:

Since 2019, Amazon has approved utility-scale renewable energy projects in 27 countries, including Greece, South Africa, Japan, Indonesia, and India.

The company collaborated with policymakers to establish policies and finance wind and solar farms. Amazon has integrated renewable energy into its operations, with zero operational carbon emissions in its Virginia HQ2 and nearly 300 on-site solar projects.

Amazon is collaborating with wind turbine developers to optimize technology, launching the Amazon-Shell HKN Offshore Wind Project in the Netherlands, aiming to generate over 750 MW of renewable energy.

3. Wind turbines in rural landscape:

Delta Wind, Mississippi’s first utility-scale wind farm, is generating carbon-free energy to power Amazon’s operations, including future data centers. The project, which includes some of the tallest land-based wind turbines in the US, is hosted on 14,000 acres of farmland.

The organization has announced a deal with local utility company Entergy to enable 650 MW of new renewable energy projects in the state over three years.

Amazon is supporting 1.7 GW of capacity across six European offshore wind farms, generating enough energy to power 1.8 million homes.

4. Tapping RE opportunities in the APAC:

Amazon has enabled over 80 renewable energy projects in the Asia Pacific region, including 50 in India and in Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea.

In Japan, Amazon announced its first onshore wind farm and standalone utility-scale solar project, making it the largest corporate purchaser in the country. The projects include 14 onsite solar installations on rooftops of local Amazon buildings, and six offsite wind and solar projects.

5. Modernizing the grid to deliver new carbon-free energy:

Amazon is investing in renewable energy by modernizing its grid to deliver energy from solar, wind, and other carbon-free projects.

To meet climate targets, the company is working with energy regulators to support grid modernization and deploy grid-enhancing technologies.

It also co-founded the Emissions First Partnership to encourage renewable energy investments in regions with fossil fuelled grids.

Conclusion:

Amazon has achieved its 100% renewable energy goal, paving the way for hundreds of new solar and wind projects worldwide.

The achievement of this goal will significantly contribute to Amazon’s Climate Pledge goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. The company is committed to achieving net-zero carbon, but its path is evolving due to generative AI demand, necessitating nimble and evolving energy sources as it works towards this goal.

The company plans to continue making progress and evolving its approach to decarbonizing operations, investing in solar and wind projects, and supporting other carbon-free energy sources like nuclear and battery storage, said Kara Hurst. Chief Sustainability Officer, Amazon.

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Green Hydrogen Gaining Steam

Renjini Liza Varghese

Hydrogen, it seems, is India’s new Green Mine!

Suddenly, everyone seems to be focused on the green hydrogen space. Beginning with investment forecasts, corporates lead the way in investments, land distribution, and deadline extensions for submitting R&D proposals.

The developments come as a welcome move as green hydrogen plays a crucial role in India’s energy security and significant carbon emission reduction potential.

The green hydrogen pilots have succeeded, despite concerns about costs and the long way to commercialization. Nevertheless, leading corporates are committed to manufacturing green hydrogen, and policymakers are flexible in accommodating industries’ needs and demands.

Take, for example, the National Hydrogen Mission, which was initiated with a total budget of Rs 19,744 crore through the 2029–2030 fiscal year. The goal is to support large-scale, economically viable use of green hydrogen through the development of production technologies and the creation of an ecosystem. The objective is to establish India as a worldwide center for the generation, application, and sale of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

Significantly, in another development, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has extended the deadline for submission of R&D proposals under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to 27th April 2024. The development provides more time for academics and organizations to prepare. It must be noted that the government has issued guidelines for an R&D scheme with a budget of Rs 400 crore for the 2025-26 financial year, promoting green hydrogen usage.

India is projected to attract $125 billion in green hydrogen value chain investments by 20230 due to its cost-effective green hydrogen production advantages. When combined with the growing emphasis on sustainability and decarbonization, India’s renewable energy costs are among the lowest in the world, positioning the nation as a hub for competitively priced production. Furthermore, green hydrogen will accelerate India’s shift to a green economy.

Both the government and the corporate sector are taking the plunge.

Gujarat’s government has allocated 63,000 hectares for green hydrogen production in Kutch, Banaskantha, and Patan districts, following a previous allocation of 1.99 lakh hectares. Reliance New Energy, Adani New Industries, Torrent Power, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, and Welspun Group were among the first recipients of the 1.99 L hectare allocation.

Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), Larsen and Toubro (L&T), Greenko Group, and Welspun New Energy are planning to establish green hydrogen and green ammonia units at Gujarat’s Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), according to a report published in The Economic Times titled “RIL to lead massive Rs 1 lakh crore investment in green hydrogen, ammonia units at Kandla.

According to ET, which cited reliable sources, the project is expected to draw investments of up to Rs 1 lakh crore, making it one of the biggest in India’s energy infrastructure. This will be one of the biggest investments made in the energy sector. India wants to become a world leader in green hydrogen production, and this is the goal of its National Green Hydrogen Mission.

While domestic consumption of green hydrogen by commercial and industrial users will drive early investments, the steel industry is expected to account for the largest share of off-take contracts in the near term.

While India positions itself as a leader in green hydrogen production, this technology presents both challenges and opportunities. Encouraging widespread adoption across industries, from vehicle manufacturers shifting to hydrogen-compatible models to achieving cost-effectiveness, will remain key hurdles.

 

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Beyond solar, wind and hybrid: Updates on India’s alternates in the RE sector

Sonal Desai

Any conversation on the renewable energy segment in India immediately seamlessly glides toward solar power. The reason is simple: solar currently dominates the RE segment. Today’s blog presents the scope of other alternates gaining momentum

India, the world’s fourth-largest electricity consumer and third-largest renewable energy producer, installed 40% of its energy capacity in 2022 from renewable sources. 

As of November 2023, India’s installed non-fossil fuel capacity increased 396% in the last 8.5 years, accounting for 44% of the country’s total capacity.

WriteCanvas discussed the importance of solar, wind, and hybrid power in India’s renewable energy sector in a previous blog post. We now focus on the developments and prospects in nuclear, waste-to-energy, biogas, and other alternative energy sources.

Nuclear power:

India’s installed power capacity currently stands at 405GW and is projected to reach 810 GW by 2030. Twenty-two operational nuclear power reactors with a cumulative capacity of 7.48 GW account for about 1.7 percent of India’s energy mix.

Largest plant: The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is India’s largest nuclear power station, located in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district. Construction began in 2002 but faced delays due to local fishermen’s opposition. The plant is set to have six VVER-1000 reactors, with an installed capacity of 6,000 MW. Unit 1 was synchronized with the southern power grid in 2013 and has been generating electricity at its 1,000 MW limit. The original cost of the units was revised to Rs 17,270 crore, with Russia providing a credit of
Rs 6,416 crore.

Forecast:  India’s nuclear sources are expected to contribute nearly 9% of electricity by 2047, helping it achieve its net zero target by 2070.

Tidal energy: 

Estimates from the Indian government place the nation’s tidal energy potential at 8,000 MW. This includes around 7,000 MW in the Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat, 1,200 MW in the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, and 100 MW in the Gangetic delta of the Sunderbans in West Bengal.

Largest plant: In 1991, a 150 kW Pilot wave energy plant was established in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, marking the world’s first wave power plant using oscillating water column (OWC) technology.

Forecast: According to the estimates of the Indian government, the country has a potential of 8,000 MW of tidal energy.

Waste to energy:

India has the potential to generate 5,690 MW of power from industrial waste and MSW. However, as of May 2023, and the total number of WTE projects was 14 and the installed capacity stood at 556 MW, indicating the untapped potential of waste to energy.

Largest plants: Located in New Delhi, the Narela Waste to Energy Plant is a 24 MW biopower project. The project, developed in a single phase, is currently active. 

Sangrur, Punjab is the largest biofuel production unit in India, producing 33 tonnes of compressed biogas per day. The unit will consume 1.30 lakh tonnes of straw annually, aiming to address the issue of stubble burning. 

Forecast: India can harness its vast waste generation to generate 65 GW of electricity annually. Experts predict this to increase to 165 GW by 2030 and 436 GW by 2050.

Heat to energy (Thermal energy):

According to Invest India, the country’s thermal installed capacity reached 240.43 GW as of Jan 2024, with 208.18 GW from coal and the rest from lignite, diesel, and gas.

Largest plant: The Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station in Singrauli district, Madhya Pradesh is one of the coal-fired power stations
of NTPC. It is the largest power station in India, and the 9th largest coal-fired power station in the world, with an installed capacity of
4,760 MW.

Forecast: India aims to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil-based electricity capacity by 2030, with cleaner fuels accounting for 50% of the installed capacity mix.

Hydropower: 

In 2022-23, hydropower accounted for 12.5 percent of power generation in India. India had about 4745.6 MW pumped storage capacity in operation in 2023 with about 57,345 MW of pumped storage capacity under various stages of investigation and construction.

Largest Hydropower: 

The 2,400MW Tehri Hydropower Complex in Uttarakhand, India’s largest hydroelectric power plant, is the tallest in the country at 260.5 meters. The complex consists of the Tehri Dam, Tehri Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant, and Koteshwar Dam. The reservoir stores water for hydroelectricity generation, irrigation, and municipal water supply to various North Indian states. The project was recently approved by the Indian government, with NTPC taking over in November 2019. The Koyna Hydroelectric Project, India’s largest completed hydroelectric power plant, is located near Patan and has four dams, including the largest across the Koyna River.

Caveat: Caveat: Large hydroelectric projects have had devastating environmental impacts. The sinking of Joshimath town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand forced the government to review the Tapovan Vishnugad Hydropower Plant undertaken by NTPC. Environmentalists alleged that the construction of a changes the natural course of the river and dramatically also affects the flora and fauna, impacting biodiversity.

Forecast: India’s 103 GW potential is estimated to require 14.5 GW of PSP capacity by 2031-32, with 4.7 GW currently unoperated, 2.8 GW under construction, and 24 GW under study.

Small hydro power:

India has a 1.2% market share in the small hydropower sector, with an installed capacity of 4,944 MW.

Forecast: The global Small Hydropower market, valued at $2185.63 million in 2020, is projected to reach $2826.05 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 3.93% between 2021 and 2027.

Hydrogen:

India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2021 to create a Green Hydrogen ecosystem in the country.

Largest plant: The Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub aims to establish a global ecosystem for new energy technologies, including electrolyzer and fuel cell manufacturing, startup, incubation, testing, and production of green hydrogen and its derivatives. The project involves the construction of India’s largest green hydrogen production facility (1200 TPA), which will be converted into green ammonia and green methanol derivatives.

Forecast: As per Green Hydrogen Mission, India’s Green Hydrogen production capacity is expected to reach 5 MMT annually, generating 125 GW of renewable energy capacity, generating Rs. 8 lakh crore in investments, and creating over 6 lakh jobs by 2030.

Our take: 

India aims to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with 424 GW of power generation capacity, 180 GW from non-fossil fuels, and 88 GW in the works.

Notably, the government has been regularly launching policies to support the segment. But some moot questions remain:

  1. How affordable is the RE alternative at the present price point?
  2. Does India have a robust infrastructure in place to support our ambitious targets?
  3. How environmentally friendly really is renewable energy?
  4. Is there a proper monitoring agency in place to scrutinize the progress of the projects?
  5. What is happening with the feedback files? Is anyone acting on it or are they gathering the proverbial dust?
  6. How are we benchmarking the success/failure of a project?

Being an active stakeholder in the sustainability segment, WriteCanvas is by no means a naysayer. We admit that India has come a long way in the RE segment, and is ahead of the curve vis-a-vis many of our peers. 

What makes the RE environment interesting in the country is active public-private partnerships–these allude to stakeholder accountability. Several RE conferences in the country and India pavilions in similar events abroad certainly show that we are moving in the right direction. 

Reader, what do you think can be done to not just fast-track the adoption of RE in the country, but also ensure transparency at all levels?

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Solar, Wind, Hybrid: India’s benchmarking in RE addition

Sonal Desai

Renewable energy has become mainstream in India. The segment has registered tremendous growth and potential. From residential complexes adopting solar energy to industry-scale adoption of green energy, the country is at the cusp of registering ROI on its total cost of investments in RE.

In the total installed capacity of 429 GW, RE constitutes around 44% of India’s energy mix, including large hydro. Which translates to 190 GW of renewables.

Cumulative Physical Progress as of December 2023:
Sector Achievements (April – January 2023) FY- 2023-24 Cumulative Achievements (as of 31.01.2024)
I.    Installed RE Capacity (MW)
Wind Power 2336.1 44969.23
Solar Power* 7526.15 74306.52
Small Hydro Power 50.45 4994.75
Biomass (Bagasse) Cogeneration 0.00 9433.56
Biomass(non-bagasse)Cogeneration 13.80 828.25
Waste to Power 1.60 249.74
Waste to Energy (off-grid) 28.41 334.31
Total 9956.51 135116.36

Source: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Over the next two write-ups, WriteCanvas will highlight the details of each market segment, including market share, installed capacity of the renewal energy, and largest deployments. The objective is not to overburden you with data and numbers. The idea is to take renewable energy conversations beyond boardrooms to ground zero and beyond.

This means tying renewable energy with all the other elements, such as carbon emissions, climate change, and biodiversity, to an overall sustainable, green planet.

The focus today is on solar, wind, and hybrid energy:

Solar energy: India added 7.5 GW of solar capacity in 2023, a drop of 44% compared to the previous year’s installations of 13.4 GW, according to a Mercom India Research report. Solar accounted for 16.4% of the overall power mix and 39.4% of the total installed renewable energy capacity at the end of Q3 2023, according to recent data from the CEA, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker.

Largest solar power plant: The Bhadla Solar Park is a solar power plant located in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India. It covers an area of 56 square kilometres and has a total installed capacity of 2,245 megawatts (MW), making it the largest solar park in the world as of 2023.

Target: In the last five years, the country’s solar installed capacity has experienced a monumental transformation, increasing from 21,651 MW to 70,096 MW in 2023. With ambitious targets and policies like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI), India is propelling itself to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Wind power: According to the Ministry for New & Renewable Energy and Power, the installed wind energy generation capacity of the country was 43,773 MW, as of 30th June 2023. (check above for the latest numbers) During FY 2022-23, the quantum of electricity generated from wind energy in the country was 71,814 million units

Largest wind power project: The Muppandal Wind Farm is India’s largest operational onshore wind farm. This project is located in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. The project was developed by the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency. Its installed capacity is 1,500 MW, which makes it the 3rd-largest operational onshore wind farm in the world.

Target: As per Global Wind Energy Council-India, the Indian offshore wind market is expected to accelerate towards 2027 with annual installations increasing from 1.8 GW in 2022 to 2.8 GW in 2023, 3.7 GW in 2024, and peaking at 5 GW in 2025 in base case. Overall, India’s wind market offers an opportunity for 21.1 GW of installations from 2023-2027

Solar-wind hybrid power: Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy: In 2018, a national policy was announced to promote an extensive grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid system for efficiently utilizing transmission infrastructure and land. A way to address the intermittency challenge of one renewable power source is to combine solar and wind, achieving better grid stability. It provides flexibility in a share of wind and solar components in the hybrid project; however, the capacity of one resource must be at least 25% of the rated power capacity of other resources.

Largest project: Adani Green Energy has launched its 700-MW hybrid green energy project in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, making its total renewable portfolio in India the largest at 8,024 MW. The project, which consists of 600 MW solar and 510 MW wind plants, is the world’s largest of its kind. It uses advanced renewable technologies like bifacial solar PV modules and horizontal single-axis trackers to maximize electricity generation. The plant is designed to deliver a capacity utilization factor of at least 50%, making it a reliable solution for India’s growing power demand. The project, located in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is the company’s fourth wind-solar hybrid power plant and is the world’s largest of its kind.

Our take:

Though India has ambitious capacity addition plans, they lack implementation and other bottlenecks, like evacuation issues.

These are exciting times for the renewable energy segment in India. The first two blogs in the series spotlight the policies trends and opportunities in the segment. Financial sentiments, along with closer scrutiny of how the manufacturing-to-user supply chain executes the project, will ultimately determine faster/slower adoption of the RE alternate.

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How has the Renewable Energy Sector Metamorphosed in India?

Sonal Desai

Renewable energy is metamorphosing India’s energy landscape.

Modhera–an Indian village in Northern Gujarat, largely famous for the Sun Temple, recently entered the global league to be the world’s first solar-powered village. 

The village has installed 1,300 rooftop solar systems and a ground-mounted solar power plant, utilizing the first grid-connected renewable energy system, battery, energy, and storage system (BESS), resulting in a net renewable energy model and saving 60-100% on electricity bills.

Similarly, the Diu Smart City has become the first city to run on 100% renewable energy during the daytime, generating 1.3 MW annually. The city has developed a 9 MW solar park and solar panels on 79 government buildings, saving 13,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Power tariffs in residential categories have been reduced significantly over the last few years. 

These two instances are paving the way for conversations around renewable energy adoption in the country—a segment that will play a key role in pivoting India to its ambition of becoming a $5 trillion economy and the world’s third-largest in the next few years!

India aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, 50% renewable power by 2030, and a 45% reduction in economic carbon intensity by the end of the decade. It plans 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, including 50 solar parks.

Challenges:
  1. India aims to reach 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with 40-50 GW over time. However, there are gaps in transmission and substation capacities, which must catch up, despite the bidding trajectory being set.2. Coal replacement may generate waste.3. Lack of clarity about the end-of-life recycling strategies for wind turbines and solar PVs.
Opportunities:

India is the world’s third-largest energy consumer.

According to the REN21 Renewables 2022 Global Status Report, India ranks fourth in the world for installed capacity of renewable energy (including large hydro), fourth for wind power, and fourth for solar power. The nation has increased its target to 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030 at COP26. Under the Panchamrit, this has been a crucial commitment. This is the biggest renewable energy expansion plan in the world.

India, the fourth-largest global renewable power capacity addition, has achieved 40% of its installed electric capacity from non-fossil fuels by November 2021, ranking fifth in solar and fourth in wind power capacity.

India’s installed non-fossil fuel capacity has grown by 396% in the last 8.5 years, exceeding 179.57 GW. Renewable energy additions reached 9.83% in 2022, with India’s solar energy capacity increasing thirty times in nine years. Since 2014, renewable energy capacity has increased by 128%.

Solar front-ending RE segment in India:

Solar is frontending the renewable energy adoption in the country at present driven by favorable policies, a cohesive solar ecosystem, and local manufacturing. Wind energy, thermal, hydropower, and thermal energy are also gaining ground. 

The union government too is providing a boost as is evident from the announcements in the Union Budget over the last few years:

A few highlights from Union Budget 2023 evidence the government’s commitment:

  • With an additional $36 million in funding, the National Hydrogen Mission will produce 5 MMT by 2030, with a $2.4 billion budget.
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems with 4 GWh Capability Assisted by Viability Gap Funding
  • Pumped Storage Projects have been given a boost in preparation for the formulation of a thorough framework.
  • $1.02/2.5 billion in Central Sector Funding for 13 GW of Renewable Energy from Ladakh through ISTS Infrastructure

                                                                               Installed capacity for Renewables:

                                                                                       Wind power: 44.73 GW

Solar Power: 73.31 GW

Biomass/Cogeneration: 10.2 GW

Small Hydro Power: 4.98 GW

Waste To Energy: 0.58 GW

Large Hydro: 46.88 GW

Favorable policy: 

The National Designated Authority for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (NDAIAPA) has assigned renewable energy activities/policies for trading carbon credits under the Article 6.2 mechanism, including renewable energy with storage, solar thermal power, off-shore wind, and green hydrogen.

The Union Cabinet has approved the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules for India’s Manufacturing Capabilities and Exports, Atma Nirbhar Bharat. The program aims to create 30,000 direct jobs, replace imports with INR 17,500 Cr annually, and encourage research and development for increased efficiency of solar PV modules. The second phase, starting in September 2022, is expected to add 65 GW of manufacturing capacity.

India’s revised NDC targets aim for 50% non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, 45% emission intensity reduction by 2070, and Net Zero by 2070. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is a key strategy for decarbonization in hard-to-abate sectors. Using CCUS technology can reduce imports and build an Atma Nirbhar Indian India aims for 5% biodiesel blending by 2030, with demand expected to grow by 30% to 200 billion liters by 2028, Renewable diesel and ethanol will account for two-thirds of this growth, and the rest will be divided among biodiesel and bio-jet fuel. economy, generating 8-10 million FTE job opportunities.

The Central government has set a goal of achieving 50% ethanol blending by 2030 and advanced its 20 percent blending target to 2025.

Hybrid: The Union government has set an ambitious target of achieving 175 GigaWatt (GW) of installed capacity from renewable energy sources by 2022, which includes 100 GW of solar and 60 GW of wind power capacity.

For instance, AHEJOL, a subsidiary of Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL), has commissioned a 390 MW wind-solar hybrid power plant in Rajasthan. This plant in Jaisalmer is the first ever wind and solar hybrid power generation plant in India.

Green jobs: 

A recent report by Airswift shows that 88% of renewable energy employees are considering a change in employment due to professional advancement opportunities and general interest in the sector. 38% would switch to a different energy sector, with power being the preferred choice.

Job profiles advertised include policy support, EPC, SCADA, and technology integration; renewable energy consultancy; project management, QA/QC Manager; solar engineer; wind farm project manager; wind turbine Technician; among others. 

According to Adrian Smith, Worley’s Executive Group Director of Transformation, “A parallel intersection of skills between power and renewables is being created by growing electric grid interconnections with renewables.” Digitalization of renewable energy is accelerating and overlapping with other industries, like technology.

For example, Waaree Energies recently appointed Dr. Avadhut Parab, one of the most renowned and experienced CIOs in India, as its CIO. Professionally, Dr Parab who was the CIO for the Parle Group and has served Wockhardt Ltd, joins Waaree Energies to provide the much-needed technology guidance in the evolving solar manufacturing and EPC space.

Our take:

The renewable energy sector is marching ahead. We are witnessing a positive growth trajectory. Favorable policies coupled with investments from the public and private sectors are fuelling the uptake. But the segment is lagging in adequate infrastructure, concerns about recycling of end-of-life products, and a fear of stagnation as is evident in waning interest in the green bonds–of which RE forms a major crux. The leading players must come together and address the issue by sharing best practices, SOPs, and case studies with their peers.

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PowerElec Nigeria 2024 to Fuel the Country’s Energy Sector

WriteCanvas News

Any progressive country in the world needs energy support to move forward. The largest economy in Africa, Nigeria, is no different. For a growing country, its energy sector should grow at double the pace of the economy. To support economic growth, the country has made tremendous progress in energy capacity addition, including renewable energy.

The Nigerian government’s Vision 2030 shows its determination to grow. It has set an ambitious capacity addition of 30,000 MW by 2030.  Of which 30% will be from renewable energy (RE). The country has also set its target to be net zero by 2060. This means an energy transition that will be led by renewables such as solar and wind power.

Capacity addition in generation alone will not be sufficient, it should have a dynamic transmission and distribution network as well.

The government has rolled out plans for a dynamic grid for renewable integration. This grid will comprise 197 GW of grid-connected solar, 11 GW of hydropower, 10 GW of gas, 34 GW of hydrogen, 6 GW of biomass, and about 90 GW of energy storage capacity by 2050.

However, there are gaps and challenges which require focus and solutions. The best way to address the gaps is to bring all the stakeholders under one roof to understand, engage, transfer, and learn from each other. That is the aim of PowerElec Nigeria 2024, a high-powered exhibition-cum-conference.

The high-quality conference titled: “Vision to Action: Pioneering Sustainable Power Solutions for Economic Growth in Africa”  not only aligns with the Vision 2030 of the Nigerian government but will also engage brighter minds from the cross-section.

The Hon’ble Federal Minister of Power, Government of Nigeria, H.E Chief Adebayo Adekola Adelabu will honor the event with his inaugural keynote.

Organized by Verifair, Dubai, and the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), the event will be held from February 20–22, 2024, at the Landmark Centre, Lagos. This platform is designed to bring together the entire value chain, connect stakeholders, foster collaboration, and drive solutions. More than 125 international companies will showcase their capabilities. Dedicated country pavilions will also offer delegates opportunities to discuss business dynamics and expansion opportunities.

The event will be graced by industry stalwarts like Prof. Dr Olawale OE AJIBOLA, PhD, REngr, FSEA, FIOGR, Director, National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation (The Energy Commission of Nigeria),  Dr. Tinuade Sanda, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, EKO DISCO, Arsh Sharma, Senior Energy Specialist, The World Bank,  Mahmud Kura, Managing Director, JOS DISCO, Nigeria, and Edu Okeke, MD, Azura Power West Africa Limited.

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