India Achieves Clean Energy Milestone, But Coal Remains Dominant
In a significant step towards reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, India has achieved a major milestone in its clean energy journey. Non-fossil fuels now account for half of the country’s installed energy capacity, a target that was set to be achieved by 2030 under the Paris Agreement. However, despite this progress, India’s energy mix remains heavily reliant on coal, which continues to be the primary source of electricity generation.
According to recent figures released by the Indian government, the country’s installed renewable energy capacity has reached 242.4 GW, accounting for 50% of the total installed capacity. Solar energy is the leading contributor to this growth, with a total capacity of 119 GW, making India the third-largest solar energy producer globally.
However, while the growth of renewable energy is a positive trend, the reality is that nearly three-quarters of India’s electricity is still generated from coal-burning power plants. This reliance on coal highlights the challenges that India faces in its energy transition. As climate expert Avantika Goswami notes, “actual generation from renewable sources is still quite low,” and the country’s storage capacity lags behind the surge in renewable energy sources.
India’s continued dependence on coal is driven by the need to meet increasing power demands, particularly in the context of rapid economic growth. The coal ministry has acknowledged the importance of coal in India’s energy mix, noting that it powers over 74% of the country’s electricity and sustains key industries such as steel and cement.
Despite these challenges, India has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon emissions. The country aims to reduce its emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. To meet these targets, India will need to significantly scale up its renewable energy capacity and develop more efficient energy storage systems.
One potential solution being explored is the development of pump-hydro energy storage projects. These projects involve pumping water into high reservoirs when excess energy is generated by wind and solar plants, which can then be released to generate power when demand surges.
However, the transition to cleaner power will require a multi-pronged approach, as Goswami notes. This includes reducing emissions from inefficient coal plants, better integrating renewable energy into the grid, and developing more efficient energy storage systems.
In conclusion, while India has made significant progress in its clean energy journey, the country’s reliance on coal remains a major challenge. Addressing this challenge will require sustained efforts to scale up renewable energy capacity, develop more efficient energy storage systems, and reduce emissions from coal plants.
