Renewable Energy

Published on 17 Feb 2025

Renewable energy comes from naturally replenishing sources like sunlight and wind, providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels while reducing environmental impact.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is the power harnessed from the sun's radiation and converted into electricity or heat. As the third-largest solar generator in 2023, India is improving efficiency with innovations like floating panels and bifacial modules.

Status and location

✔     India ranked fourth globally for total installations with 60.4 GW

✔     Gujarat and Rajasthan have the highest solar energy potential.

Initiatives by Government

✔     Solar Park Scheme: It establishes multiple solar parks, each with a capacity of about 500 MW across various states.

✔     PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:  this scheme aims to provide free electricity to households by subsidising the cost of installing solar panels on their roofs.

✔     National Solar Mission: A major initiative to promote sustainable growth and address energy security through solar power.

✔     SRISTI Scheme: Promotes rooftop solar power projects in India through the Sustainable Rooftop Implementation of Solar Transfiguration of India (SRISTI) scheme.

✔     International Solar Alliance: A collaborative platform for enhancing solar energy deployment among member countries.

✔     PM-KUSUM Scheme: Supports the installation of off-grid solar pumps in rural areas and grid-connected areas to reduce grid dependence.

 

Wind Energy

Wind energy is the power generated by converting the kinetic energy of wind into electricity using wind turbines. With over 38 GW installed, India ranks fourth globally, driven by advancements in turbine design and offshore wind projects.

Status and location

✔     India's wind power capacity is 44 GW, with a 2030 target of 140 GW, ranking it fourth globally.

✔     Major wind energy installations are located: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

✔     Wind Parks: Jaisalmer Wind Park (1064 MW) and Muppandal Wind Farm (1500 MW).

Initiatives by Government

✔     Policy for Repowering of Wind Power Projects, 2016: Offers a 0.25% additional interest rebate for repowering wind projects financed by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA).

✔     National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2018: It Promotes large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for efficient resource and land use.

✔     National Offshore Wind Energy Policy: It Aims to develop offshore wind energy in India's 7,600 km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

 

Hydropower

Hydropower energy is the electricity generated by harnessing the energy of flowing or falling water contributing 12% of India's renewable capacity.

Status and location

✔     India's hydropower capacity is 46,850 MW (11.2% of the total), with 4,745.6 MW of pumped storage operational and 57,345 MW under development.

✔     Hydropower plants are mainly in northern and northeastern India, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Run-of-River Hydroelectricity Project

It generates electricity using the natural flow of a river without large reservoirs or major alterations to the river's flow, minimizing environmental impact.

●      Example: Bhagirathi II Hydro Project, Tungabhadra Hydro Project

 

Differences: Run-of-River Projects and Conventional Hydroelectricity Project

Aspect	Run-of-River Hydroelectricity Project	Conventional Hydroelectricity Project
Reservoir Requirement	No large reservoirs; uses natural river flow directly.	Requires large reservoirs to store water.
Environmental Impact	Minimal impact; preserves natural river flow and ecosystem.	Significant impact; can flood large areas and alter ecosystems.
Power Generation Dependence	Dependent on natural river flow, leading to variable output.	More consistent output due to controlled water flow from reservoirs.
Infrastructure Requirements	Smaller diversion structures and minimal civil works.	Large dams and extensive infrastructure needed for water storage and diversion.
Cost	Generally lower due to reduced infrastructure.	Higher due to dam construction and reservoir creation.

 

Initiatives by Government

✔     Inclusion of Large Hydro Projects under Renewable Energy (2019): Large hydro projects are now classified as renewable energy and they are included in the non-solar renewable purchase obligation.

✔     Budgetary Support and Tariff Rationalization: The government supports hydropower with budget allocations for flood moderation, an 18-year debt repayment period, and a 40-year project life with tariff backloading.

✔     Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs): India is expanding PSP capacity from 4.7 GW to 55 GW by 2031-32, with 2.7 GW under construction and 50 GW in development.

Biomass Energy

 Biomass energy is the power produced from organic materials, such as plant and animal waste, through processes like combustion or conversion into biofuels. India has an estimated biomass potential of around 18,000 MW.

Initiatives by Government

✔     National Policy on Biofuels: 2018 (amended 2022) promotes fuel blending, focusing on second-generation biofuels, with a 20% ethanol blending target by 2025-26.

✔     Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme: Aims to blend ethanol to reduce pollution, conserve foreign exchange, and support the sugar industry.

✔     Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana (2019): Aims to establish commercial 2G ethanol projects and boost R&D in the sector.

✔     GOBAR-DHAN Scheme: Focuses on converting cattle dung and farm waste into compost, biogas, and bio-CNG, enhancing village cleanliness and rural income.

✔     Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO): Launched by FSSAI to create an ecosystem for converting used cooking oil into biodiesel.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is the heat extracted from the Earth's internal heat sources for electricity generation or direct heating applications.

Status and location

✔     Potential for power generation of about 10,000 MW.

✔     seven geothermal provinces: Himalayan, Sahara Valley, Cambay Basin, Son-Narmada-Tapi Lineament Belt, West Coast, Godavari Basin, and Mahanadi Basin.

✔     Prominent sites in India: Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh), Jalgaon (Maharashtra), Tapovan (Uttarakhand), Bakreshwar (West Bengal), and Tuwa (Gujarat).

Initiatives by Government

✔     National Geothermal Policy: It outlines a framework for sustainable development and regulatory support to harness India's 10,000 MW geothermal potential.

 

Benefits of Renewable Energy

✔     Mitigating Climate Change and Reducing Emissions: Fossil fuels drive extreme climate events, while renewable energy reduces CO2 emissions, with India's projects avoiding millions of tons annually.

✔     Energy Security: Fossil fuel reliance exposes India to price volatility and geopolitical risks, as seen during conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.

✔     Improving Air Quality: Fossil fuel combustion causes pollutants linked to respiratory issues, premature deaths, and environmental damage.

✔     Commitment Fulfilment: Energy transition aligns with India's Paris Agreement goals.

✔     Conservation of Natural Resources: Renewables reduce dependence on coal, oil, and gas, preserving resources and maintaining ecological balance.

✔     Addressing Intermittency: Advances in storage technologies, like lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro storage, manage solar and wind intermittency.

✔     Job Creation and Industry Growth: The renewable sector saw an eightfold increase in jobs from 2020-21 to 2022, with around 53,000 workers employed in 2021-22.

✔     Cost Competitiveness and Market Dynamics: Renewable energy costs have dropped significantly, with solar PV module prices falling by 85% over the past decade.

✔     Investment Opportunities and Financial Incentives: India attracted over $10 billion in renewable energy investments in 2022, supported by government incentives like tax benefits and subsidies.

Challenges of Renewable energy

✔     Fossil-Dependent Jobs: Moving away from fossil fuels could cause job losses and disrupt communities reliant on industries like coal.

●      Example: India's coal sector employs over 3 million people

✔     Cost and Infrastructure: High upfront costs and land availability issues are major hurdles to adopting renewable energy in India.

✔     State Expenditure: Emphasis on welfare programs restricts funding for new energy infrastructure and technology.

✔     Energy Storage: Intermittency of solar and wind power challenges grid stability, compounded by India's lack of advanced storage technologies.

●      Example: India has only 4 GW of battery storage capacity against the required 27 GW by 2030.

✔     Transmission Networks: India's transmission infrastructure is insufficient for managing intermittent and decentralized energy sources, impacting grid stability.

●      Example: In 2022, 20% of renewable energy generated in Tamil Nadu couldn't be transmitted due to grid limitations.

Way forward

✔     State Potential Identification: Systematically identify and leverage states with high renewable energy potential.

●      Example: Ladakh is exploring geothermal energy potential with pilot projects aimed at harnessing geothermal resources for local energy needs.

✔     Private Investment in R&D: Draft policies to attract foreign investment for advancements in renewable energy storage and transmission technologies.

●      Example: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Storage Grand Challenge funds public-private partnerships to advance energy storage technologies.

✔     International Cooperation: Utilize platforms like to gain international capital and expertise for renewable energy.

●      Example: International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance

✔     Alternate Livelihoods: Retrain and provide new job opportunities for workers displaced from fossil fuel industries due to the energy transition.

●      Example: Just Transition Fund in the EU aids workers in coal-dependent regions by funding retraining and job placement.

✔     Planning and Monitoring: Implement realistic planning and regular monitoring for renewable energy projects to meet targets effectively.

●      Example: UNFCCC employs platforms like the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) to monitor and support planning for renewable energy.

PYQs

1.     With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy? (2018)

2.     Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India? (2017

3.   What do you understand by Run-of-river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project? (2013)

Tags:
Economy

Keywords:
Renewable energy Solar Energy Wind Energy Hydropower Biomass Energy Geothermal Energy

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Infrastructure Development