The Council on Energy, Environment and Water presents a first-of-its-kind roadmap to India's renewable energy and green hydrogen potential, and the challenges ahead.
India’s current RE potential stands at around 150 GW. The country has the target to have 500 GW of non-fossil-fuel capacity by 2030, and reach net-zero by 2070.
India's Renewable Energy (RE) Potential:
India has the potential to generate 24,000 GW of renewable energy without constraints, according to a study by the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW).
To reach net-zero by 2070, India needs less than 7,000 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity, including 5,600 GW of solar and 1,800 GW of wind.
Constraints for RE Deployment:
Deployment beyond 1,500 GW could face constraints related to land use, water management, and grid resilience.
Strategic measures in land and water management will be required to overcome these challenges.
Current RE Capacity and Targets:
India’s current RE potential is around 150 GW.
The country targets 500 GW of non-fossil-fuel capacity by 2030 to support the journey toward net-zero emissions by 2070.
Challenges in Land and Water Use:
The study highlights the constraints of land scarcity, water availability, population density, and climate risks in scaling RE deployment.
Inaccuracies in land digitization, ownership rights, and land usage could cause conflicts, affecting RE development.
State-wise RE Potential:
Rajasthan (6,464 GW), Madhya Pradesh (2,978 GW), and Maharashtra (2,409 GW) lead in unconstrained solar potential.
Karnataka (293 GW), Gujarat (212 GW), and Maharashtra (184 GW) offer considerable wind potential.
Green Hydrogen Production:
India can produce up to 40 million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen at a cost lower than $3-5 per kg.
The cost could decrease due to declining costs of electrolysers and improvements in RE technologies.
Challenges in Green Hydrogen Expansion:
Expansion beyond the current capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum will face challenges such as high land prices and limited uncommitted water.
High power generation costs are also a barrier, as green hydrogen needs to compete with fossil fuels for cost-effectiveness.
Land and Population Density Constraints:
35% of onshore wind potential and 41% of solar potential are located in areas free from historical land conflicts.
Around 41% of wind potential (732 GW) is in high population density areas (over 400 people per sq km), posing potential risks of resistance from communities.
Stakeholder Involvement:
A framework is needed to address the needs of various stakeholders involved in clean energy projects, including communities, landowners, governments, and investors.
Industry can play a crucial role in developing this framework and help states and the central government overcome future barriers in RE and green hydrogen deployment.
Long-term Strategic Planning:
Industry can help governments plan beyond the 500 GW target, focusing on long-term land and water management and overcoming other barriers to non-fossil-fuel development.