Skip to main content

Call for sustainable energy policy, holistic approach to renewable energy

By Shankar Sharma* 
India stands at a crucial juncture in its energy transition journey. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) recently announced that the country's renewable energy capacity has doubled to 15 GW. While this milestone is commendable, it is juxtaposed with concerns over coal-based power expansions, substantial investments in transmission infrastructure, and delayed renewable energy projects. 
These challenges raise critical questions about the sustainability and coherence of India’s energy policies.
Contradictions in Energy Policies
Reports indicate that India plans to add 18 GW of coal-based power capacity by FY26, even as the nation pledges to achieve net-zero emissions. This contradiction highlights a lack of alignment between renewable energy growth and the continued reliance on fossil fuels. 
Moreover, the push for large-scale solar and wind power parks necessitates significant investments in transmission infrastructure—estimated at $107 billion—raising concerns about environmental degradation, displacement of agrarian communities, and transmission losses.
The Renewable Energy (RE) sector is further mired in controversies, such as delays in signing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), allegations of corruption in large-scale projects, and reputational risks for key stakeholders like the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). These issues point to the need for a transparent and well-coordinated policy framework.
The Case for Distributed Renewable Energy
A shift towards distributed renewable energy systems, such as rooftop solar photovoltaic (SPV) installations and localized solar-powered agricultural pumps, offers a viable alternative. 
These smaller, decentralized systems can seamlessly integrate with existing low-tension (LT) distribution networks, eliminating the need for extensive high-voltage transmission lines. This approach reduces transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, minimizes capital investment, and boosts local employment opportunities.
Global Trends and Lessons for India
Globally, distributed renewable energy systems are gaining traction. For instance:
  • The United States added 3.8 GW of energy storage capacity in Q3 2024, with residential installations reaching an all-time high.
  • Studies show significant benefits of pairing solar panels with agriculture, optimizing land use and increasing output.
  • A shift towards battery energy storage systems (BESS) is evident, with India projected to increase storage capacity 12-fold to 60 GW by FY32.
India must align its policies with these global trends to accelerate its green energy transition.
Policy Recommendations
1. Promote Distributed RE Systems: Encourage rooftop solar and localized renewable energy systems to reduce dependency on large-scale projects and transmission lines.
2. Adopt a Comprehensive National Energy Policy: Develop a cohesive strategy addressing renewable energy, storage solutions, and grid modernization.
3. Incentivize Battery Storage: Mandate battery storage for new RE projects to enhance grid stability and support distributed energy systems.
4. Integrate Renewable Energy with Agriculture: Leverage the synergy between solar energy and agriculture to maximize land use and support rural livelihoods.
5. Minimize Environmental Impact: Avoid large-scale infrastructure projects that disrupt ecosystems and agrarian communities.
Conclusion
India’s energy transition must prioritize sustainability, transparency, and inclusivity. A focused national energy policy, aligned with global best practices and rooted in distributed renewable energy systems, can pave the way for a greener and more resilient future. In light of escalating climate change threats, it is imperative for policymakers to act decisively and adopt a holistic approach to energy planning.
The government must initiate comprehensive policy-level discussions and implement measures that prioritize the long-term welfare of the nation and its people. Only then can India truly lead the way in sustainable energy development.
---
*Power & Climate Policy Analyst This article is based on the author's representation to Shripad Yesso Naik, Pralhad Joshi, and Manohar Lal, respectively Minister of State (New & Renewable Energy), Cabinet Minister (New & Renewable Energy), Cabinet Minister of Power, with copies to the Prime Minister and the Chairperson of NITI Aayog, urging action on India’s energy policies

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING

When democracy becomes a performance: The Tibetan exile experience

By Tseten Lhundup*  I was born in Bylakuppe, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in southern India. From childhood, I grew up in simple barracks, along muddy roads, and in fields with limited resources. Over the years, I have watched our democratic system slowly erode. Observing the recent budget session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, these “democratic procedures” appear grand and orderly on the surface, yet in reality they amount to little more than empty formalities. The parliamentarians seem largely disconnected from the everyday struggles faced by ordinary exiled Tibetans like us.
Post a Comment
»

Civil society flags widespread violations of land acquisition Act before Parliamentary panel

By Jag Jivan   Civil society organisations and stakeholders from across India have presented stark evidence before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj , alleging systemic violations of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013 , particularly in Scheduled Areas and tribal regions.
Post a Comment
»

Beyond the island: Top mythologist reorients the geography of the Ramayana

By Jag Jivan   In a compelling new analysis that challenges conventional geographical assumptions about the ancient epic, writer and mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik has traced the roots of the Ramayana to the forests and river systems of Central and Eastern India, rather than the peninsular south or the modern island nation of Sri Lanka.
Post a Comment
»

Dr. Ram Bux Singh: Biogas pioneer’s legacy gains urgency amid energy crisis

By A Representative   In an era defined by a global energy crisis and a desperate search for sustainable solutions, the visionary work of an Indian scientist from the mid-20th century is finding renewed, urgent relevance. Dr. Ram Bux Singh , a pioneering figure in biogas and renewable energy , is being posthumously honored by the Government of India, even as his decades-old innovations provide a blueprint for today’s challenges.
1 comment
»

Alarming decline in India's repair culture threatens circular economy goals: Study

By Jag Jivan  A comprehensive new study by environmental research and advocacy organisation Toxics Link has painted a worrying picture of India's fading repair culture, warning that the trend towards replacement over repair is accelerating the country's already critical e-waste crisis.
1 comment
»

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

​ By Syed Ali Mujtaba*  ​The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.
Post a Comment
»

Protesters in UK cities voice concerns over alleged developments in Bastar region

By A Representative   Demonstrations were held across several cities in the United Kingdom on March 28, as groups and activists gathered to protest what they described as state actions in India under the reported “Operation Kagar.”
Post a Comment
»

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.
Post a Comment
»

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.
Post a Comment
»