Veteran engineer urges PM Modi to rethink solar parks for sustainable energy future

By A Representative 

Shankar Sharma, a seasoned power sector professional with over 44 years of experience, has penned an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising critical concerns about the ecological and social impacts of large-scale renewable energy parks, particularly solar power projects, across India. In his detailed appeal, Sharma urges the government to shift focus toward sustainable, decentralized energy solutions to address the growing environmental and economic challenges posed by current energy policies.

Citing examples from states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka, Sharma highlights the adverse effects of mega solar parks, such as the 2,000 MW Pavagada Solar Park in Tumakuru, Karnataka, which has consumed 11,000 acres of pastoral land. These projects have led to the loss of grazing lands, increased water demand in water-scarce regions, local heat island effects, and disruptions to wildlife, including endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard (GIB). Dedicated high-voltage power lines for these parks, he notes, contribute to significant transmission and distribution (T&D) losses and obstruct the flight paths of birds, exacerbating ecological harm.

Sharma references several reports, including articles from The Wire, Mercom India, and Economic Times, which document the environmental toll of solar parks and the financial burden of expanding transmission infrastructure, estimated at Rs 4.75 trillion by 2027. He argues that these large-scale projects are not only ecologically damaging but also financially unsustainable, given their low operational efficiency (25-33%) and high T&D losses (18-20%).

As an alternative, Sharma advocates for a decentralized energy model centered on rooftop solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems, which could leverage India’s vast rooftop potential to generate millions of megawatts of electricity—potentially meeting 60-70% of the country’s annual power demand. He points to the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, which aims to install rooftop SPV systems on 1 crore homes, as a scalable model that could extend to commercial and institutional buildings. This approach, he argues, would reduce the need for land diversion, minimize T&D losses, and lower the financial burden on the government.

Sharma proposes a policy shift toward a “federation of micro/smart grids” powered by distributed renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass) and supported by battery energy storage systems (BESS). Such a system, he suggests, would enhance local grid reliability, reduce dependency on high-voltage transmission lines, and empower communities through feed-in tariffs for rooftop solar and community-based bioenergy projects. He cites successful examples, such as solar micro-grids in rural Bihar and Kenya, as proof of concept.

Expressing frustration over the lack of response to previous representations sent to the Ministries of Power, New & Renewable Energy, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, NITI Aayog, and the PMO, Sharma calls for urgent action to adopt a sustainable and inclusive energy policy. He emphasizes that such a transition is critical for India to meet its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and net-zero targets while minimizing social and environmental impacts.

Sharma, who has worked in the Union Power Ministry and has extensive experience in India, New Zealand, and Australia, has offered to provide detailed submissions on these issues if given the opportunity. His letter underscores the need for a holistic, long-term approach to energy planning that prioritizes the welfare of communities and ecosystems.