The potential of renewable energy in India is immense due to its abundant solar and wind resources. The government has set ambitious targets and implemented policies to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, making India one of the fastest-growing renewable energy markets globally.
Renewable energy is shaping up to be a game-changer for India, with immense potential driven by its abundant solar and wind resources. The government’s ambitious targets and implementation of favorable policies have positioned India as one of the fastest-growing renewable energy markets globally.
India is blessed with vast solar resources, particularly in the form of high solar insolation levels throughout the year. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India’s solar potential is estimated to be about 750 GW. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, launched in 2010, aimed to achieve 20 GW of grid-connected solar power by 2022. However, this target was exceeded four years ahead of schedule, prompting a revision to 100 GW by 2022.
The wind energy sector in India has also witnessed remarkable growth. With its long coastline, hilly regions, and diverse landscapes, the country has excellent wind power potential. According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), India stands fourth globally in terms of installed wind power capacity. It has set a target of achieving 60 GW of wind power capacity by 2022.
To incentivize investment and boost renewable energy expansion, the Indian government has implemented various policies and initiatives. One such program is the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) under the Electricity Act, which mandates electricity distribution companies to procure a specific percentage of their energy from renewable sources. The government has also launched the Green Energy Corridor Project to enhance the transmission infrastructure for the evacuation of renewable power.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need but not every man’s greed.” This quote emphasizes the significance of utilizing renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, to meet our energy needs in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Here are some interesting facts about renewable energy in India:
- The world’s largest solar power plant, the Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, is located in Andhra Pradesh, India, with a capacity of 1 GW.
- India achieved the milestone of 100 GW of cumulative installed renewable energy capacity in 2021.
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was jointly launched by India and France to promote solar energy deployment globally, particularly in developing countries.
- India has introduced a floating solar power plant on a lake in Kerala, demonstrating innovative approaches to maximize land utilization.
- The government has set a target to install 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, including 100 GW of solar, 60 GW of wind, 10 GW of biomass, and 5 GW of small hydro projects.
Table: Renewable Energy Targets in India
| Renewable Energy Type | Target by 2022 |
| Solar | 100 GW |
| Wind | 60 GW |
| Biomass | 10 GW |
| Small Hydro | 5 GW |
Through sustained efforts, India is moving rapidly towards diversifying and decarbonizing its energy mix. The potential of renewable energy in India, driven by solar and wind resources, is immense, and its pursuit supports a sustainable future for the nation.
Here are some other responses to your query
The Government of India sets a target of 175 Gigawatts (GW) by the year 2022. The target includes 100 GW of solar power, 60 GW of wind power, 10 GW of biomass power, and 5 GW of small hydropower projects (SHP).
Video answer to your question
This video explores the potential of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and bioenergy. It discusses the benefits of renewable energy, including sustainability, reduced pollution, and job creation. The video also acknowledges the challenges associated with renewable sources, such as cost and intermittency, and emphasizes the importance of investing in their development and deployment. It introduces emerging technologies like energy storage, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and bioenergy as promising solutions for a sustainable energy system. The video aims to provide viewers with a better understanding of renewable energy and encourages them to explore more science and technology-related content.
Also people ask
Regarding this, What is the renewable energy resource potential of India? As an answer to this: As of Feb 2023, Renewable energy sources, including large hydropower, have a combined installed capacity of 178.79 GW. The following is the installed capacity for Renewables: Wind power: 42.6 GW. Solar Power: 66.7 GW.
Which renewable energy has the greatest potential in India?
Solar energy
Solar energy has the greatest potential among all the given sources of renewable energy.
In this way, Is India leading in renewable energy? In reply to that: India has become the fastest in renewal energy capacity addition among major economies that had added over 100 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by the end of 2021 with the vision of 500 gigawatts by 2030.
What is the potential of renewable energy to meet energy demand in India? Increasing renewables capacity to 500 GW by 2030, Meeting 50% of energy requirements from renewables, Reducing cumulative emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030, and. Reducing emissions intensity of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 45% by 2030.