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India’s Clean Energy Transition
Context:
India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, focusing on inclusive and sustainable growth.
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- The goal is to improve living standards while protecting public health and minimising emissions.
- Achieving this goal requires a balanced approach to energy planning, as energy accounts for nearly three-quarters of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
India’s per-capita primary energy consumption is about 23% of China’s and nearly 35% of the global average. To meet the aspirations of its growing economy and population, India’s energy consumption must grow significantly. This rising demand can be met sustainably through the principles of Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), which aim to deliver quality living standards equivalent to those of developed nations.
The Need for Integrated Energy Planning:
- Energy security is a pivotal aspect of India’s clean energy transition.
- Currently, energy accounts for nearly three-quarters of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, making it a significant lever for economic and social development.
- To achieve a low-cost transition pathway for sustainable growth, India must adopt an integrated energy planning approach.
- This involves enhancing energy efficiency, increasing the share of renewables, and reducing energy poverty by bridging the urban-rural energy gap.
Key Objectives for 2047:
- Energy Accessibility: By 2047, every Indian should have access to modern clean energy. This includes addressing the urban-rural energy gap and transitioning rural households from traditional biomass to cleaner fuels.
- Increased Energy Demand: Total energy demand is expected to double in the next 25 years, with per capita energy consumption increasing from 0.43 tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in 2022 to 0.8 toe by 2047.
- Renewable Energy Expansion: The share of electricity in total energy demand is anticipated to grow from 18.3% in 2022 to 40.3% by 2047, underlining the need for a cleaner energy system that can meet rising demand.
- Drivers of Energy Security: India heavily relies on fossil fuel imports, making energy security a priority. The transition to clean energy is essential to manage these dependencies, aiming for clean energy to make up 40% of the primary energy mix by 2047.
Challenges:
- The transition to clean energy is crucial for tackling climate change. Still, it faces several challenges, including outdated infrastructure that struggles to integrate renewable sources, the need for expensive energy storage solutions, and geopolitical issues that complicate supply chains.
- Existing power grids require modernisation, including the implementation of smart grid technologies, to efficiently handle increased renewable energy flows.
- Financially, trillions of dollars are required for this shift, with fluctuating market conditions and immediate economic needs in developing countries often taking precedence over long-term sustainability.
- Additionally, inconsistent policies create uncertainty for investors, while the disparity between developed and developing nations complicates policy implementation.
Strategies for Sustainable Energy Transition:
Transition to Clean Cooking Fuels by 2047
- Currently, 56% of rural households rely on traditional biomass for cooking.
- By 2047, it is hoped that these households will shift entirely to cleaner fuels, while urban areas will achieve a 100% switch to relatively low carbon-intensive fuels such as gas much earlier.
- Electric cooking is also expected to gain traction, with about 15% of rural households and 20% of urban households adopting induction cooking by 2047.
- Emphasis on Renewables: A conducive environment for the growth of renewables and cleaner fuels is vital for a sustainable transition.Natural Gas and Nuclear Energy: Increasing the supply of natural gas and exploring small modular reactors (SMRs) can contribute to a low-emission energy landscape.
- Energy Pricing Reforms: Addressing electricity pricing and reforming the subsidy system through measures like Direct Benefit Transfer can enhance energy efficiency and reduce the financial strain on the exchequer.
- Innovations like solar rooftops and smart meters can help manage consumption and costs more effectively.
Government Initiatives in Clean Energy:
- National Solar Mission: Launched in 2010, this mission aims to install 100 GW of grid-connected solar power capacity by 2022. It has been successful in increasing India’s solar power generation capacity.
- National Hydrogen Mission: Announced in 2021, this mission aims to establish India as a top global producer and supplier of green hydrogen.
- By 2030, the mission targets the installation of at least 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen capacity, supported by around 125 gigawatts of renewable energy.
- Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): RECs are tradable certificates that represent the environmental benefits of renewable energy generation. They can be used by companies to offset their carbon emissions.
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha e-Vam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM): Designed to provide energy security for farmers in India while supporting the country’s goal to boost the share of electric power from non-fossil fuel sources to 40% by 2030.
Future Directions:
- NITI Aayog is leading efforts to create a roadmap for achieving a net zero economy by 2070, focusing on various sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and transport.
- Collaborations, such as with the Ashoka Centre for People-centric Energy Transition, aim to ensure that energy policies align with broader societal needs.
- This approach highlights the importance of innovative financing and policy frameworks to support India’s transition toward sustainable energy and economic growth, setting the stage for a more resilient and equitable energy future.
The Energy Transition Summit India 2024
- Scheduled for October 8-9, 2024 at The Oberoi in New Delhi.
- This event will bring together senior policymakers, global investors, and leaders from the energy, metals, and manufacturing sectors to discuss India’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
- Key topics will include:
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- Scaling up renewable energy
- Decarbonising industries
- Balancing energy security with the need to reduce fossil fuel dependence
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