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

How Hindutva and the Taliban mirror each other in power and ideology

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak* The recent visit of Taliban-appointed Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India and the warm reception extended to him by the Modi government have raised questions about India’s foreign policy direction. The decision appears to lend legitimacy to the Taliban regime, which continues to suppress democratic aspirations in Afghanistan.

Celebrating 125 yr old legacy of healthcare work of missionaries

Vilas Shende, director, Mure Memorial Hospital By Moin Qazi* Central India has been one of the most fertile belts for several unique experiments undertaken by missionaries in the field of education and healthcare. The result is a network of several well-known schools, colleges and hospitals that have woven themselves into the social landscape of the region. They have also become a byword for quality and affordable services delivered to all sections of the society. These institutions are characterised by committed and compassionate staff driven by the selfless pursuit of improving the well-being of society. This is the reason why the region has nursed and nurtured so many eminent people who occupy high positions in varied fields across the country as well as beyond. One of the fruits of this legacy is a more than century old iconic hospital that nestles in the heart of Nagpur city. Named as Mure Memorial Hospital after a British warrior who lost his life in a war while defending his cou...

History, culture and literature of Fatehpur, UP, from where Maulana Hasrat Mohani hailed

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Maulana Hasrat Mohani was a member of the Constituent Assembly and an extremely important leader of our freedom movement. Born in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, Hasrat Mohani's relationship with nearby district of Fatehpur is interesting and not explored much by biographers and historians. Dr Mohammad Ismail Azad Fatehpuri has written a book on Maulana Hasrat Mohani and Fatehpur. The book is in Urdu. He has just come out with another important book, 'Hindi kee Pratham Rachna: Chandayan' authored by Mulla Daud Dalmai.' During my recent visit to Fatehpur town, I had an opportunity to meet Dr Mohammad Ismail Azad Fatehpuri and recorded a conversation with him on issues of history, culture and literature of Fatehpur. Sharing this conversation here with you. Kindly click this link. --- *Human rights defender. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/vbrawat , X @freetohumanity, Skype @vbrawat

N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: CRZ nod is arbitrary, without jurisdiction

By Krishnakant* A case-appeal has been filed against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and others granting CRZ clearance for establishment of intake and outfall facility for proposed 6000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Mithi Virdi, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) vide order in F 11-23 /2014-IA- III dated March 3, 2015. The case-appeal in the National Green Tribunal at Western Bench at Pune is filed by Shaktisinh Gohil, Sarpanch of Jasapara; Hajabhai Dihora of Mithi Virdi; Jagrutiben Gohil of Jasapara; Krishnakant and Rohit Prajapati activist of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the MoEF&CC, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and case is kept for hearing on August 20, 2015. Appeal No. 23 of 2015 (WZ) is filed, a...

New RTI draft rules inspired by citizen-unfriendly, overtly bureaucratic approach

By Venkatesh Nayak* The Department of Personnel and Training , Government of India has invited comments on a new set of Draft Rules (available in English only) to implement The Right to Information Act, 2005 . The RTI Rules were last amended in 2012 after a long period of consultation with various stakeholders. The Government’s move to put the draft RTI Rules out for people’s comments and suggestions for change is a welcome continuation of the tradition of public consultation. Positive aspects of the Draft RTI Rules While 60-65% of the Draft RTI Rules repeat the content of the 2012 RTI Rules, some new aspects deserve appreciation as they clarify the manner of implementation of key provisions of the RTI Act. These are: Provisions for dealing with non-compliance of the orders and directives of the Central Information Commission (CIC) by public authorities- this was missing in the 2012 RTI Rules. Non-compliance is increasingly becoming a major problem- two of my non-compliance cases are...

Urgent need to study cause of large number of natural deaths in Gulf countries

By Venkatesh Nayak* According to data tabled in Parliament in April 2018, there are 87.76 lakh (8.77 million) Indians in six Gulf countries, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While replying to an Unstarred Question (#6091) raised in the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs said, during the first half of this financial year alone (between April-September 2018), blue-collared Indian workers in these countries had remitted USD 33.47 Billion back home. Not much is known about the human cost of such earnings which swell up the country’s forex reserves quietly. My recent RTI intervention and research of proceedings in Parliament has revealed that between 2012 and mid-2018 more than 24,570 Indian Workers died in these Gulf countries. This works out to an average of more than 10 deaths per day. For every US$ 1 Billion they remitted to India during the same period there were at least 117 deaths of Indian Workers in Gulf ...

Epic war against caste system is constitutional responsibility of elected government

Edited by well-known Gujarat Dalit rights leader Martin Macwan, the book, “Bhed-Bharat: An Account of Injustice and Atrocities on Dalits and Adivasis (2014-18)” (available in English and Gujarati*) is a selection of news articles on Dalits and Adivasis (2014-2018) published by Dalit Shakti Prakashan, Ahmedabad. Preface to the book, in which Macwan seeks to answer key questions on why the book is needed today: *** The thought of compiling a book on atrocities on Dalits and thus present an overall Indian picture had occurred to me a long time ago. Absence of such a comprehensive picture is a major reason for a weak social and political consciousness among Dalits as well as non-Dalits. But gradually the idea took a different form. I found that lay readers don’t understand numbers and don’t like to read well-researched articles. The best way to reach out to them was storytelling. As I started writing in Gujarati and sharing the idea of the book with my friends, it occurred to me that while...

Caste, employment, and Bihar elections: The tragedy of Musahar child labourers

By Sunil Kumar* Bihar 's biggest festival of 'democracy'—the elections—has begun with its full clamor. The announcements from both the ruling party and the opposition create the illusion that the state's suffering will vanish in an instant, and the lives of the people of Bihar will be greatly enriched. As in every election, this time too, caste and employment are emerging as key issues. Every party is unrolling its bundle of promises. But amidst this electoral noise, there are stories that are deliberately kept 'quiet'—because both the ruling party and the opposition benefit from their silence. One such story is the death of four Musahar children.

Creative destruction? The myth of ‘better capitalism’ behind the 2025 Economics Nobel

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak * The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the 2025 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel to Joel Mokyr , Philippe Aghion , and Peter Howitt “for having explained innovation-driven economic growth .” According to the Nobel announcement on October 13 , one half of the prize goes to Professor Joel Mokyr “for having identified the prerequisites for sustained growth through technological progress ,” while the other half is shared by Professors Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt “for the theory of sustained growth through creative destruction .”

Search This Blog