Context: As of the latest data from the Central Electricity Authority, India's renewable energy (RE) sector is witnessing a significant expansion, with a substantial portion of RE capacity under construction.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Renewable Energy: Key Trends; India’s RE Target.
Key Highlights of Renewable Energy Expansion
- Total Installed Capacity: India currently has over 167 GW (1,67,709 MW) of installed RE capacity, including (including about 12,000 MW non-wind and non-solar sources such as biomass and small hydro).
- Under-construction RE capacity of over 142 GW (1,42,667 MW) of RE, with the highest share from solar energy (over 82 GW), followed by solar-wind hybrid and wind energy projects.
- Gujarat, with over 46 GW of RE capacities under construction, leads the way in India’s RE development.
India’s RE Target
- India has set a target to achieve at least 500 GW (gigawatts) of non-fossil power capacity by 2030, up from its current 165 GW (2024).
Central Public Sector’s Role in Renewable Energy Development:
- Four central public sector companies (CPSEs) under the Ministry of Power are involved in the construction of renewable energy plants, contributing to 8% of the total under-construction capacity.
- NTPC’s leadership: NTPC is at the forefront with 5,417 MW of renewable energy projects under development, followed by SJVN and NHPC.
High concentration of renewable energy projects in a specific region (Gujarat and Rajasthan) may pose infrastructure challenges, particularly for energy distribution and grid management. Effective management of energy distribution across the regions is crucial to ensure grid stability.