Sucking out the ‘Filthy Air’

Context: India is showing the world the way by moving forward with its ambitious clean energy initiatives.

Achievements for India in tackling Climate Change:

• Paris Climate Change Targets: India pledged to install 175 GW or 40% renewable energy capacity and 30-33% reduction in carbon emission intensity from 2005 levels by 2030.
• India’s capacity from renewable, hydroelectric and nuclear has already reached 38%.
• India has already reduced its carbon emission intensity by 21%.
• Taken up new targets of 450GW of renewable energy production by 2030, motivated by dire pollution, climate change and high oil imports.
• Providing Cost-competitive renewable energy: due to advances in technologies.
• In 2018, solar power generation became cheaper than coal by 14%, along with wind power.
• Battery technology is rapidly approaching the point where it solves a critical problem that has held the cleanest energy back, i.e. intermittent supply.

• Conduction of world largest renewable energy tender: Greenko, will provide 900 megawatts (MW) of uninterrupted, unsubsidised power, using a combination of solar panels and hydroelectric storage. 

• Private Investments: Tata and Rockefeller foundation in a collaborative effort have announced to set up 10,000 microgrids in villages. 

Conclusion: With India having the lowest prices in the world and virtuous cycle in play, prices will drop further, making adoption of renewables faster.