India needs to achieve net zero GHG by 2070. Emissions are to be achieved, which requires a large-scale transition to renewable energy, but challenges also exist regarding development or sustainability outcomes.Renewable energy comes from sources or processes that are continuously replenished. These sources of energy include solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy and hydroelectric energy.
Situation of india
- India is set to add a record 18.48 GW of renewable energy capacity in 2023-24, up 21% from 15.27 GW a year ago, according to the latest data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- However, according to experts, there is a need to add at least 50 GW of renewable energy capacity annually over the next six years to meet the ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
- According to the data, India’s installed renewable energy capacity is 143.64 GW.
- In 2023-24, 15.27 GW of renewable energy capacity was added from solar installations of 12.78 GW, followed by 2.27 GW of wind power.
- Among renewable energy capacity, total solar installed capacity tops the chart at 81.81 GW, followed by about 46 GW of wind power, 9.43 GW of biomass co-generation and 5 GW of small hydro (up to 25 MW capacity each).
- Among states, Gujarat and Rajasthan have the largest renewable energy capacity at about 27 GW, followed by Tamil Nadu at about 22 GW, Karnataka at about 21 GW and Maharashtra at about 17 GW.
Challenges
- Non-availability of land for solar parks: Solar parks are a key pillar of India’s mitigation strategy. 214 sq km under solar parks. land, but some studies estimate that India needs 50,000–75,000 sq km to achieve its net zero target. may be required, which is about half the size of Tamil Nadu.
- Diversity and economic inequality at the local level: At the local level, farmers in villages near India’s two largest solar parks – Bhadla in Rajasthan and Pavagada in Karnataka – report differing experiences.
- In Bhadla, farmers have lost sacred land called orans and herders face diminishing grazing land.
- On the other hand, many farmers in Pavagada were satisfied with the steady annual income they received from leasing land for solar parks. This land was drought prone and did not yield significant agricultural income. Nevertheless, water security issues and economic inequality between large and small landowners remain challenges for the sector.
- Solar parks compete with natural resources
- Water required for regular cleaning of solar panels
- Competition with agriculture and related livelihoods
- Biodiversity harmed by construction of large-scale solar parks
- For example, open natural systems such as deserts provide essential ecosystem services, but if lost will cause ecological damage and also contribute to climate change.
- Adverse effects of wind energy on bird ecosystem
Suggestion
- Adopting private ownership model for large-scale renewable energy development
- Revising and strengthening the legal and regulatory mechanisms
- Making significant changes in wasteland classification
- Encouraging research and experimentation with ‘Agrivoltaics’
- Agrivoltaics combines solar power with agriculture, creating energy and providing space for crops, pastures and native habitats under and between the panels.
- Organizing skills and training programs