‘Green energy to establish over half of India’s power capacity by 2030’

NEW DELHI: A draft report by the country’s power-planning body proclaims that solar and wind energy projects may constitute over half of India’s total power capacity of by 2030.

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) on July 1, said in the report that solar and wind projects are seen establishing 440 GW of capacity out of the projected 831 GW in more than a decade. All non-fossil fuel sources will form 65 per cent of the total installed capacity and contribute around 48 per cent of gross electricity generation. The share of coal in overall capacity is likely to drop to a third from about 56 per cent now. The polluting fuel will continue to produce half of the country’s electricity by 2030, compared with about 72 per cent now.

Indian government’s climate target of having 40 per cent non-fossil fuel powered capacity by 2030 will be surpassed if the estimates hold true. The government aims to install 175 GW of renewable capacity by 2022 as per the current plan. India had 80 GW of renewable capacity as of May end.

The report, which is yet to be adopted by the government, recognises the alternating nature of renewable generation as a restrictive factor. The cost reduction of batteries will help in faster roll out, it said.

It is estimated that India will overtake the US as the world’s second-biggest emitter of carbon dioxide from the power sector before 2030. Carbon dioxide emissions from the Indian power sector are likely to be 1,154 million tons by 2029-2030, the CEA said.