The energy sector in India is impacted by certain key market trends, including unprecedented growth of renewable energy sources and advent of new technologies like electric vehicles and rooftop photovoltaic. These trends create uncertainty in the sector and require regulatory and policy changes to accommodate the increasing penetration of renewables into the grid. In this regard, CSTEP has identified two main challenges: smooth transition of state utilities to renewable energy and development of robust operational processes for long-term sustainability of distribution companies. Our work aims to explore the potential of states to meet renewable energy targets and strategise with government bodies for policy implementation at both state and national levels.
Andhra Pradesh Power Sector: A Roadmap Till 2040
Andhra Pradesh's (AP’s) gross state domestic product stood at INR 1,201,736 crore (USD 157.36 billion) in FY 22. The power sector played a crucial role in supporting the state's economic growth. The state initiated power sector reforms as early as 1998 and was also the first state to sign the ‘Power for All’ agreement—the basis for power sector planning in AP—with the Government of India in September 2014.
Kerala Energy Transition Roadmap 2040
The state of Kerala is committed to sustainability, with aims to attain net-zero emissions by 2050 and meet 100% of its energy requirements though renewable energy (RE) sources by 2040. However, currently the state’s internal power generation meets only 30-35% of its energy requirements, while the rest is supplied by imports, predominantly sourced from coal-based resources. This scenario emphasises the need for understanding the state's energy dynamics and developing an actionable plan to reduce the dependence on thermal imports and enable a smooth RE transition.
Address the surging energy demand
On August 25, 2023, Karnataka clocked the highest-ever peak demand for energy at 16,950 MW. This unusual surge (the state normally experiences peak demand in the summer months) was driven by factors such as escalated energy consumption due to the provision of free power up to 200 units/month to domestic consumers, poor rainfall leading to increased energy consumption by farmers, and heightened commercial and industrial activities within the state.
CEA guidelines to unify demand forecasting across states
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has recently released guidelines on medium- and long-term demand forecasting, aiming to address the non-uniformity in forecasting approaches used by various states and utilities. While these guidelines offer clarity on major aspects, some issues need to be resolved for effective implementation.
Breathing New Life into Wind Energy: How High-Potential States Can Revive the Sector
India’s wind capacity target for 2030 is 140 GW, and the current wind installation achieved until April 2023 is 42.8 GW. To achieve the remaining 98 GW, considerable growth rate and comprehensive efforts are needed in the coming years. India has a total wind energy potential of 695GW at 120 metres (National Institute of Wind Energy), which is on par with the solar energy potential of 748GW (National Institute of Solar Energy).
OPINION: What is the role of states in India's clean energy transition?
As a rapidly developing nation, India is currently the world’s fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. However, we aim to reduce the overall carbon intensity and achieve 50 per cent of power from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, which is currently at 43 per cent as per Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy 2022: Why ensuring successful execution is the key
With India’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2070, one of the milestones is attaining 500 GW capacity from non-fossil fuel-based sources by 2030. India has made significant progress in this regard, with installed renewable energy (RE) capacity reaching 120,900 MW as of 30 December 2022 (solar power: 63,302 MW; wind power: 41,930 MW). However, more than 300 GW needs to be added to achieve the target by 2030.