India has seen an exponential growth when it comes to transition to renewable energy due to the rising carbon emission and air pollution. Also with solar emerging as one of the most efficient alternative of fossil fuel, the country has shown a rise in adoption of solar power as a favourable source of energy, notes Imaan Javan, Director of Operations, Suntuity REI.
India holds the ambitious target of achieving 175 GW by 2022 (of which 100 GW will be solar, 10 GW of bio power, 60 GW of wind power and 5 GW of hydro power) and 450 GW by 2030 with renewed interest from all quarters (residential and corporates) in aiding the same.
Even India Inc. shared their support, when as part of the RE100 mission, many renowned names like Infosys and Tata Motors pledged their support to a renewable tomorrow. Also, India’s obligation towards the Paris Climate Agreement commitment has augured development in the sector.
However, despite the fast-paced economic growth across industries, India is still playing catch–up in load generation. The country’s overall power supply deficit stood at 0.5 per cent at the end of March 2020, and the peak power deficit stood at 0.7 per cent, according to the data published by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
The northern region witnessed a total supply of, 389,192 million kwh (million units or MU) of energy against the requirement of 394,758 MU whereas the western region fulfilled 388,346 MU against a demand of 388,351 MU. In the southern region, 344,450 MUs of energy was supplied to combat a 344,550 MUs of energy with eastern region assuaging a requirement of 145,997 MU of energy with a 145,717 MU supply. Northeastern region fell short with a 15,985 MU of energy to a sine qua non of 16,592 MU of energy.
Though the Government and other segments are trying to curb the ever increasing hazards from fossil fuel, renewable energy is still the second most significant source of energ y as most of India’s energy demands is and will be primarily met by coal at least till 2040. The percentage share of renewable consumption in 2016 was 2 per cent and is predicted to increase by 13 per cent by 2040.The country is expected to be the fastest growing among all significant economies by 2040 in terms energy consumption.
According to McKinsey, 40 per cent of global CO2 emissions can be reduced by focusing on energy-efficient technologies hence pinpointing the fact that technological advancement is also the need of the hour. Thus switching to Best Available Technology (BAT) will allow suppliers to make electricity available to the masses along with reducing consumption growth to 1.8 times from the originally projected factor of 3.
Some of the key measures that can be undertaken to bridge the shortage can be a decentralized solar grid system warranting equal and accessible power supply. To encourage more solar power generation and adoption, competitive bidding guidelines can be laid out.
Also it is imperative to avail large land mass to set up more solar plants. To meet the growing demand for solar power generations, businesses must be incentivized and consumers need to be educated about the profitability of adoption of solar power. Green energy corridors must be expanded as it aims at coordinating electricity generated from renewable energy sources like solar and wind with conventional power stations in the grid. In addition to these, dovetailing a staunch renewable electricity framework with super-efficient day-to-day appliances that require low maintenance should also be considered along with setting up of solar PVs on rooftops in residential areas especially in remote areas thus empowering residents to create their own energy.
As the power shortage continues to loom, increasing dependency on renewable energy is the most viable option towards addressing the power void. As per reports by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a quarter of India’s energy demand can be met with renewable energy. The country could possibly surge its share of renewable power generation to over one-third by 2030 to meet the demands of the ever increasing population. Together we need to re-think our energy strategy with focus on lighting every home across the nation. Every lit home will illuminate the future of India, to the India of dreams. The sun is shining bright on us, all we need to do is harness the power of the sun.
