India, a major consumer of coal energy, makes great profits in the acceptance of clean energy. Here’s how

Bengaluru, India (AP), one of the most polluting carbon sides, India also makes great efforts to use the power of the sun, wind and other clean energy sources.

The greater part of electricity in India, the most populated nation in the world, still comes from coal, one of the most frozen forms of energy. But the dominance of coal decreases, with 60% of the installed capacity of power 11 years ago to less than 50% today, according to the Ministry of Power in India.

At the same time, India had its largest addition of clean energy in the fiscal year between April 2024 and April this year, adding 30 gigawatts – enough to feed nearly 18 million Indian homes.

With increasing middle class and growing energy needs, how fast India can move away from coal and other fossil fuels, such as gasoline and oil, can have a great influence on global efforts to combat climate change.

Here is a moment in the transition of clean energy in India and some of the challenges.

Renewable energy is now the most economical option

Solar energy is already half the cost of energy from new coal plants. The presence of cheap components and many sunny days every year in India are some reasons experts say that the solar energy installed has increased 30 times over the last decade.

“Solar energy is the cheapest one that has ever been,” says Rouca Chess, an energy analyzer in the Ember climate Trust. Chess added that reducing energy storage costs in the form of batteries means that renewable energy will be “new normal”, even when the sun does not shine or the wind does not blow.

India has nearly 170 gigs of renewable energy in the pipeline, which are expected to be completed in the next few years.

“I have no doubt that India will reach its goal from 500 Gigawatts by 2030,” says Raghav Pachuri, an energy expert at the Vasudha Foundation, a brain trust based in New Delhi.

Government policies and private investment pushes renewable energy sources

Experts say that the growth of renewable energy sources is encouraged by India’s plans to add approximately 50 gigas from the capacity of non -fossil fuels every year in the next five years and to provide 50% of the energy of the nation for the decade. When burned, fossil fuels release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, the main engine of climate change.

The law of 2022, which made electricity more cheaper for companies that choose to buy clean energy, the federal government’s recommendation that government utilities buy more renewable energy, and the government’s 2023 government plan to invest $ 452 million, all catalyzed investments in renewable sources.

India has the fourth largest amount of clean energy installed in the world, and government officials have said $ 81 billion has been invested in the renewable energy sector in the last decade. Many large-scale renewable energy projects have started operations or are under construction, including one of the world’s largest wind and solar energy farms.

“We saw the internal production capacity, at least when it comes to solar panel modules that are increasing,” says Madhura Joshi, a senior energy analyst in the European Trust E3G.

However, renewable energy sources are insufficiently used

Despite rapid growth, the challenges continue. Until the excavated fuel sources now contain 45% of the total installed capacity of India, their share in the actual production of electricity was 24% last year. Coal remains the dominant source, representing 75% of electricity production.

The proportion of sunny, wind, small hydro energy and biomass in the electricity production mix in India is 12%, doubles what it was in 2014, but still lower than expectations so far, according to a report from the New Delhi Trust, the Center for Science and the Environment.

The installed capacity is increasing, but the production of electricity from renewable energy sources must be optimized and integrated efficiently into the network, established in the report.

At the intersection of clean energy

A recent report of the Non-profit brain Trust of Clean Energy, RMI, found that the demand for electricity is expected to triple by 2050-moved by more electric vehicles, air conditioners and industrial growth.

The acquisition of land for clean energy projects remains a challenge. India must also build a quick stable infrastructure for power line and energy storage facilities to continue to increase clean power.

“India is expected to become the third largest economy in the world for several years, and I think we will have to accept renewable energy to do this. There is no opportunity for us, as fossil fuels cannot maintain the pace” with energy needs, Dipraki, the CEO of the Mumbai -based company.

___

Follow Sibi Arasu on X at @sibi123

___

The climate and environmental coverage of the Associated Press receive financial support from numerous private foundations. AP is only responsible for all content. Find AP standards to deal with philanthropy, supporters’ list and finance areas to cover Ap.org

Leave a Comment