Delhi: India’s efforts in renewable energy have achieved some success, but significant challenges remain. While renewable energy capacity has grown considerably in the past decade, the country still needs to meet its ambitious targets. 

Positive Achievements 

• Renewable energy capacity has increased substantially, reaching around 143 GW by March 2024. 
• Due to competitive bidding and falling module prices, wind and solar tariffs have significantly declined. 

Missed Opportunities and Challenges 

• The NDA government significantly raised renewable energy targets in 2014 but has yet to come close to achieving them. The 2022 target of 175 GW was missed by a wide margin. 
• The government’s attempt to control wind power tariffs through competitive bidding backfired, discouraging investment. Shifting to a “closed auction” method in 2023 is a positive step. 
• The rooftop solar segment, crucial for achieving the 40 GW target, has lagged due to resistance from state utilities. As of December 2023, rooftop solar installations stand at only 10.5 GW. 
• India must explore promising alternative energy sources like offshore wind and ocean energy faster. 

Looking Ahead 

The government has set a new target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030. Achieving this ambitious target will require: 

• Ensuring a stable and reasonable tariff structure for renewable energy companies. 
• Streamlining the rooftop solar sector by addressing issues with state utilities. 
• Investing in and expediting offshore wind development and other promising renewable energy sources. 

By overcoming these challenges, India can harness the full potential of renewable energy and achieve its clean energy goals.