India must scale up its non-fossil-fuel power capacity to 600 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 to meet rising electricity demand reliably and affordably, according to a new report by the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW).
The report, “How Can India Meet Its Rising Power Demand? Pathways to 2030,” highlights the need for a high-renewable energy pathway if energy demand continues to exceed current projections due to climate change or rapid economic growth.
Renewable Energy as the Most Viable Solution
CEEW emphasizes that achieving 600 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 is crucial. The proposed energy mix includes:
- Solar Power: 377 GW
- Wind Energy: 148 GW
- Hydropower: 62 GW
- Nuclear Energy: 20 GW
The shift toward renewables is driven by their cost-effectiveness and sustainability.
The Need for Flexible Energy Resources
To support this transition, India must invest in flexible energy resources to ensure grid stability. The key components include:
- Battery Storage: 70 GW of four-hour battery energy storage systems
- Pumped Storage Hydro: 13 GW
- Retrofitted Coal Plants: Upgrading 140 GW of coal capacity for grid management
These measures will help integrate renewable energy sources efficiently into the national grid.
Policy Recommendations to Accelerate the Energy Transition
CEEW urges the Ministry of Power to set a clear target of 600 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 and incorporate it into the National Electricity Policy. Additionally, the ministry should:
- Promote a technologically and geographically diverse renewables portfolio
- Collaborate with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to optimize land and transmission infrastructure by co-locating wind, solar, and storage projects
- Implement a Uniform Renewable Energy Tariff (URET) to address price volatility in clean energy markets
- Innovate bidding and contract designs to attract investments
- Unlock de-risked merchant capacity to boost renewable energy sales
As reported by msn.com, by adopting these strategies, India can accelerate its transition to a cleaner and more resilient energy system, ensuring long-term energy security and affordability.
