India is now the world’s most populated country, and its energy needs are seeing the most significant increase in all the countries studied by the International Energy Association (IEA). India needs to be energy-secure to meet this demand. In this report, I focus on solar energy and how it can usher in an energy-secure future for India.

India has set high goals in the renewable energy sector. In the IEA’s Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS), it is reported that solar power ‘will match coal’s share in the Indian power generation mix within two decades.’ This is possible because India plans to reach 450 Gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030. As per the STEPS, India is also well positioned to exceed its Paris Agreement NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) goals. The share of non‐fossil fuels in electricity generation capacity reaches almost 60% by 2030, well above the 40% that India pledged. 

India has made sizable investments in solar energy. From 2016 to 2021, Indian solar PV capacity grew at an average rate of around 60%. To augment this, the government introduced a production-linked incentive scheme: the National Programme on High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules in 2021. It has set aside Rs. 4,500 crores to promote the manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV modules. 

Solar is becoming easier to implement, with India adding nearly five times more solar capacity in 2019 than was added in 2015. Global cost declines have played a key role in this. With the help of ambitious policy targets and auctions, solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment has been nearly identical to what was projected in the India Energy Outlook 2015. 

Solar is also scaling rapidly. By 2022, solar and wind power are anticipated to fulfill up to 77% of India's energy demand. By 2030, they can exceed total demand during numerous hours throughout the year, leading to grid curtailments - reductions in renewable output below its capacity. We need better energy-storage technologies to prevent this from happening.

However, renewables’ generation capacity must increase for them to power India’s future. Solar PV and wind accounted for 18% of the capacity mix in 2019, but their combined share of generation was less than 10%.

For a more energy-secure future, it is crucial to address challenges, invest in grid infrastructure, and continue innovating to maximize the potential of solar energy. Let us all contribute our expertise to make energy security possible not only for India but every other country where a child cannot study because of frequent blackouts and a sick patient cannot get a vaccine because of cold chain power cuts. A better world is possible when we unite to solve problems; let us make it happen.

References:

The 30 largest and most populous countries. (n.d.). Worlddata.info. https://www.worlddata.info/the-largest-countries.php

Renewable energy in India. (n.d.). 

https://pib.gov.in/FeaturesDeatils.aspx?NoteId=151141&ModuleId%20=%202

Scaling Up Solar Manufacturing to Enhance India’s Energy Security. (2020, August). https://www.eqmagpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/CEEW-Scaling-up-solar-manufacturing

India Energy Outlook 2021 – Analysis - IEA. (n.d.). IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/india-energy-outlook-2021