A senior Mantralaya official stated, “The central govt has set a target to bring carbon emissions to zero by 2070. For this, the state govt has set targets to generate 50% energy through renewable energy sources by 2030 and 75% by 2047.”

A memorandum of understanding was already signed on June 14, 2023, between Mahagenco and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited to develop renewable energy generation projects. According to this agreement, the development of various renewable energy projects in the state, including pumped storage hydroelectric projects, green hydrogen with solar-wind hybrid, and floating solar projects, is included. All these projects have a total capacity of 5000 MW.

The official further stated, “The establishment of a joint venture company for this was approved by the state cabinet on Tuesday. Satluj Vidyut Nigam Limited will have 51% and Mahagenco will have 49% equity.”

Through this joint company, in the first phase, projects with a total capacity of 735 MW will be developed, including the Ghatghar Phase-2 pumped storage hydroelectric project (125 MW), Irai floating solar energy project (105 MW), and Nimnawardha floating solar energy project (505 MW).

Reference : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtra-cabinet-approves-joint-venture-for-5000-mw-capacity-renewable-energy-project/articleshow/123925535.cms?utm_

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Currently, Rajasthan’s own renewable energy plants have a cumulative capacity of 15,400MW, including solar, wind, and biomass sources, against the fossil-fuel-based capacity of 12,000MW. Since these renewable energy projects produce about 20% of the plant capacity, their share in the state’s consumption is around 18%.

However, Sharma said that the focus has now shifted to managing the renewable energy, instead of generation, which was the case until recently. Solar being an infirm power (or which is generated during the day), managing grid stability has become a challenge.

“We have a long line of investors registered with the department to set up generation plants. But we do not have enough transmission capacity to evacuate them. Developing the infrastructure requires large-scale investments,” said Sharma.

Lack of evacuation infrastructure is not the only problem.

Sharma said it is equally important to ensure grid stability, which depends on many factors for managing the load.

He said battery storage is one of the important pieces of load management, and the department has started the process to set up 3,000 MW capacity of projects. “With plans for another 2,000MW battery storage projects in the pipeline, we will have 5,000 MW capacity in the near future.”

Explaining the challenges of solar and wind power, he said that much of the capacity is now concentrated in Rajasthan and Gujarat. “Unless we have infrastructure to wheel out power to buyers in other states, the price of power produced in these locations will face volatility, posing risks for investor appetite,” he added.

Reference : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/raj-now-has-over-50-of-power-from-solar-wind-sources/articleshow/123572175.cms?utm_

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With solar and wind energy generation highly dependent on local weather conditions, the country is finding traditional broad-scale forecasts — such as state-wide or regional predictions — no longer sufficient.

“You need a very, very granular forecast,” Central Electricity Authority Chair Ghanshyam Prasad said at a BloombergNEF Summit on green energy, adding that the ability to track cloud movements at specific locations was now critical.

Currently, India’s forecast resolution – the precision of weather predictions over small time intervals or areas – does not match 15-minute operating cycles of the power grid, where weather conditions can shift rapidly, he said. The goal was to improve the resolution to minimum possible distances, he added.

Beyond short-term forecasting, the government is also focusing on building long-term predictive tools that can aid planners in projecting weather trends over multi-year horizons.

“Across the world, nobody has that kind of visibility to forecast weather for that kind of horizon,” Prasad said.

“But we are trying to build long-range forecasting tools which can give us at least some predictions.”

These developments are seen as critical for ensuring power sector stability as India scales up its reliance on renewable sources.

“Until we are able to do that, probably we will not be able to sustain the power sector as such,” Prasad said.

New Delhi has curbed its solar and coal power output during periods of low demand to keep its power grid stable and ease congestion in power lines as green supply rises, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) told Reuters earlier this week.

India added a record 22 GW of new solar and wind capacity in the first half of 2025 and is planning to increase non-fossil fuel power capacity to 500 GW by 2030.

As part of its reforms, the CEA is also shifting from a five-year energy planning cycle to an annual model.

“That’s a challenge that we have taken — if I do it every year, that means I will be able to capture the forecast better,” the official said.

Reference : https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/india-moves-sharpen-weather-forecasting-amid-renewable-energy-push-2025-08-22/?utm_

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Inaugurating the Sadbhavana Day, Renewable Energy Day, and World Biofuel Day celebrations, organised by KSBDB at the Rural Development University on Wednesday, Sudhindra explained that an investment of over Rs 1 lakh crore is expected in the biofuel sector over the next five years. “This will create over three lakh direct and indirect jobs, increase the income of farmers’ families, and provide encouragement to young entrepreneurs. The coming five years will be crucial for the development of the biofuel sector in Karnataka,” he asserted.

Sadbhavana Day and Renewable Energy Day are celebrated to highlight the advancements in science, technology, information, and life sciences in the 21st century advancements in science, technology, information, and life sciences in the 21st century. The main aim of Renewable Energy Day is to raise awareness and consciousness about national unity, social harmony, and tolerance among people. It primarily focuses on educating students about renewable energy.

On this World Biofuel Day, the KSBDB has already been successfully implementing awareness programmes about biofuels in the state. In the current scenario, the enhancement and commercialisation of the biofuel sector are essential. Various states are leading in biofuel production, and the board must also formulate plans in this direction, he said.

Gadag deputy conservator of forests Santosh Kenchappannavar mentioned that the country has seen the Green Revolution and White Revolution. Now, the biofuel revolution will complement the country’s development. Previously, importance was given only to fuels produced from trees and plants. Recently, ethanol production from sugarcane has increased. Electricity is being generated from raw material obtained by burning sugarcane waste. The increased production of biofuel from sugar factories is strengthening the energy sector.

Reference : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/new-biofuel-policy-to-be-implemented-soon-in-karnataka-ksbdb-chief/articleshow/123415557.cms?utm_

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Manufacturers must now buy components like blades, towers, generators, gearboxes, and special bearings from vendors approved under a new government list, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said in a notification late on Thursday.

A technical team constituted by MNRE will carry out inspections, and a separate standard operating procedure will be issued.

The approved list of models and manufacturers will be issued by the ministry separately, the notification said.

The directive also mandates that all wind turbine data be stored within India, prohibits real-time operational data transfers abroad, and requires operational control and research and development centres to be located in India within one year.

The move aims at promoting domestic wind turbine manufacturing industry in the country, which is now at 20 GW in annual manufacturing capacity, as per government data.

India aims for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity – including hydro and nuclear – by 2030, nearly double the current 235.6 GW.

Exemptions apply to certain bid-out and near-term projects, while new models under exemption are capped at 800 MW over two years and must submit quarterly progress reports, the notification said.

The move is likely to benefit domestic wind equipment makers like Suzlon Energy (SUZL.NS), opens new tab, Inox Wind (INWN.NS), opens new tab and Adani Wind, and will likely be a setback for China’s Envision Group, which has gained a stronghold in the Indian market.

Reference : https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/indias-new-wind-turbine-norms-mandate-local-sourcing-data-control-2025-08-01/?utm_

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WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

A target was set at the COP28 U.N. climate conference in 2023 to triple the amount of renewables, such as wind and solar, to keep a 1.5 degree Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) warming limit this century within reach.

BY THE NUMBERS

Last year, 582 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity, such as hydropower, solar, wind and geothermal, was added globally. This was nearly 20% higher than in 2023. Around 91% of the utility-scale projects commissioned were more cost effective than fossil fuel alternatives, the report said.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) was 41% cheaper on average than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternatives, such as gas, while onshore wind projects were 53% cheaper.

The cost of battery energy storage systems has declined by 93% since 2010, the report added.

CONTEXT

The costs of renewable technologies have been decreasing since 2010 due to technological advances and economies of scale.

Continued reductions are expected but challenges in the short term have come from issues such as geopolitical tensions, trade tariffs and bottlenecks in raw material production and procurement, which could temporarily drive up costs, IRENA said.

KEY QUOTE

“Looking at all renewables currently in operation, the avoided fossil fuel costs in 2024 reached up to $467 billion. New renewable power out competes fossil fuels on cost, offering a clear path to affordable, secure, and sustainable energy,” said Francesco La Camera, director general of IRENA.

“However, this progress is not guaranteed. Rising geopolitical tensions, trade tariffs, and material supply constraints threaten to slow the momentum and drive-up costs,” he added.

Reference : https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/around-90-renewables-cheaper-than-fossil-fuels-worldwide-irena-says-2025-07-22/

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New Delhi: India’s renewable energy sector reported a 420 per cent year-on-year growth in capacity addition in June 2025, rising from 1.4 GW last year to 7.3 GW this year, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said on Tuesday at the IVCA Renewable Energy Summit 2025 in Mumbai.

The Minister highlighted that India has seen a 4,000 per cent growth in solar energy capacity—rising from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 117 GW in 2025. Wind energy capacity increased from 21 GW to 51.7 GW in the same period, registering a 140 per cent rise.

Cost reductions and policy support driving change
Solar tariffs have declined by 80 per cent—from ₹10.95/unit in 2010–11 to ₹2.15/unit currently. “As a result, even solar with battery storage now costs less than thermal, saving up to ₹2 per unit,” Joshi said.

He noted that 83 per cent of power sector investments in 2024 were directed towards renewables. “We were the largest recipient of global energy development finance, attracting $2.4 billion (₹20,040 crore) for clean energy in a single year,” Joshi said.

FDI inflows and investor returns
Since 2020, foreign direct investment in the sector has crossed ₹1.6 lakh crore ($20 billion), with ₹42,000 crore ($5 billion) in 2023 alone. In Q1 2025, clean energy investment surged 7.7 times year-on-year to $9.8 billion (₹81,700 crore).

“Investors who backed this transition have already seen multifold returns. So should you,” Joshi said, inviting capital participation in the sector.

Green hydrogen and large-scale projects
The ₹19,744 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission is aimed at making India a global hub for green hydrogen production, usage, and export. “Our first hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck trials are already on the roads,” he added.

Citing major infrastructure projects, Joshi said, “In Gujarat’s Kutch district, we are building what will be the world’s largest renewable energy park—30 GW of solar and wind combined.”

Renewable manufacturing sees rapid expansion
Under the PLI scheme, India’s solar module manufacturing capacity has more than doubled from 39 GW to 91 GW in one year. Solar cell capacity increased from 11 GW to 25 GW.

Among the allocations under the PLI scheme:

1. 17.5 GW of module capacity awarded to six manufacturers (out of 48.3 GW total)
2. 6 GW of cell capacity awarded to two manufacturers (out of 44.9 GW total)
3. 2 GW of ingot-wafer capacity awarded to one manufacturer (out of 37.5 GW total)

Joshi said the country is now aiming to auction 50 GW of renewable capacity every year, including a guaranteed 10 GW of wind power.

Waste-to-energy and sectoral transformation

The minister also mentioned India’s largest waste-to-energy plant in Ahmedabad, which converts 1,000 tonnes of solid waste daily into electricity. “These are examples of how India’s energy transition is not only sustainable but also inclusive, benefiting cities, farmers, and communities,” he said.

Joshi concluded, “Let us join hands to power India’s transformation into a renewable energy superpower, creating long-term value for investors, for our economy, and for the planet.”

Reference : https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/india-adds-7-3-gw-renewable-capacity-in-june-clean-energy-fdi-crosses-1-6-lakh-crore-joshi/122490027?utm_

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