Navigating India's Renewable Energy Challenges towards Net-Zero Emissions
Key Ideas
- India's renewable energy capacity could exceed 24,000 GW, but challenges in land, water availability, and population density hinder progress towards the 7,000 GW target for net-zero emissions by 2070.
- Population density and land conflicts present significant hurdles for renewable deployment, with key states like Odisha and Madhya Pradesh identified for their renewable potential and existing infrastructure.
- Green hydrogen production in India could reach 40 MTPA by 2050, contingent on effective water management, while scaling beyond 1,500 GW capacity poses more intricate challenges like higher land costs and climate risks.
- The CEEW report emphasizes the need for strategic planning, innovative solutions, and policy frameworks involving all stakeholders to sustainably expand India's renewable energy infrastructure.
A recent report by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) sheds light on India's renewable energy landscape, highlighting the nation's vast potential to exceed 24,000 GW of renewable capacity. However, achieving even a fraction of this capacity, particularly the 7,000 GW required for net-zero emissions by 2070, faces significant obstacles related to land availability, water resources, and population density. The report underscores the impact of population density on renewable deployment, noting limitations in siting new installations in regions with high population density. Land conflicts, stemming from competing land uses such as agriculture and habitation, further complicate the acquisition of large parcels needed for renewable projects.
Key states like Odisha and Madhya Pradesh are identified as pivotal for expanding India's renewable capabilities due to their low-cost solar potential and existing infrastructure. The report also delves into the potential of green hydrogen production in India, estimating a capacity of 40 million tonnes per annum by 2050, subject to effective water management. However, scaling beyond the 1,500 GW mark presents challenges like higher land costs, climate risks, and intensified land use conflicts.
Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW, stresses the importance of resilience and innovation in India's energy transition, acknowledging the vast potential of renewable energy while recognizing the complex hurdles on the path to net-zero emissions. The report advocates for comprehensive strategies involving stakeholders to ensure the commercial viability of renewable projects, proposing solutions like agro-voltaic systems and revised water management policies. As India endeavors to achieve its renewable energy goals, the report highlights the necessity of strategic planning and policy frameworks to address the multifaceted challenges of land availability, water management, and population density, paving the way for a sustainable and conflict-free expansion of renewable energy infrastructure.