India leading the way in renewable energy

19 February 2023 10:36 pm Views - 140

India is on a mission to become a leader in renewable energy. The country is already the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and is home to some of the world's most polluted cities. However, in recent years, India has made significant progress in promoting and investing in renewable energy, and is well on its way to achieving its goal of becoming a leader in this field.

India's commitment to renewable energy is rooted in its commitment to sustainable development. The country has set ambitious targets for renewable energy generation, with a goal of achieving 450 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030. This includes 280 gigawatts of solar power, 140 gigawatts of wind power, and 10 gigawatts of biomass power.

To achieve these targets, India has been investing heavily in renewable energy infrastructure. The country has already installed over 100 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, including 39 gigawatts of solar power and 38 gigawatts of wind power. This is a significant achievement, considering that just a decade ago, India's renewable energy capacity was less than 5 gigawatts.

The government has introduced a range of policies and incentives to encourage investment in renewable energy, including subsidies, tax breaks, and feed-in tariffs. The government has also set up a range of institutions to support the growth of renewable energy, including the National Solar Mission and the National Wind Energy Mission.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Morgan, the German special envoy for international climate action, is currently visiting India to discuss the country's progress on renewable energy and climate action. During her visit, Morgan met with Indian government officials and renewable energy experts to discuss ways to accelerate India's transition to clean energy.

India and Germany have a long-standing partnership in the area of renewable energy. In 2015, the two countries launched the "Indo-German Energy Forum" to promote cooperation and investment in renewable energy. Since then, the partnership has led to several joint projects and initiatives in the area of renewable energy.

During her visit, Morgan praised India's progress on renewable energy, particularly in the area of solar power. She noted that India has already achieved its target of installing 100 gigawatts of solar power capacity by 2022, and is now aiming to achieve a target of 280 gigawatts of solar power by 2030. Morgan also noted India's success in reducing the cost of solar power, which has made it more competitive with fossil fuels.

Morgan's visit also focused on ways to accelerate India's transition to clean energy. She discussed the need for greater investment in renewable energy, particularly in the area of energy storage. Energy storage is an important component of renewable energy systems, as it allows energy to be stored and used when it is needed, rather than when it is generated. Morgan noted that Germany has significant expertise in energy storage, and that there is potential for collaboration between the two countries in this area.

Morgan also discussed the need for greater international cooperation on climate action. India is one of the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases, and its participation in the negotiations is seen as crucial to the success of the conference.

“We want to see what we (India and Germany) can be doing together. Also, we could be collaborating with others in G20. We want to see the kind of drive the Indian presidency is bringing into the G20 on these types of technologies and on the circular economy,” Morgan said during an interaction with the media.

During her ongoing visit, Morgan has met secretaries of Coal, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and others, and G20 Sherpa. “We talked about storage, renewable energy… also on grid… We didn’t make any hard and fast decisions yet but we identified…areas where we wanted to take another look,” she said about her meetings.

Germany has made the decision to gradually reduce its reliance on oil imports from Russia. Jennifer Morgan, spoke about climate justice and whether it could be a topic of discussion at the upcoming G20 meeting. She stated that Germany takes climate justice very seriously, and while certain aspects of the topic can be raised within the G20, she believes that the United Nations is an additional forum that is important for the discussion of climate justice.

During her discussions with Indian officials, Morgan learned about their plans to scale up renewable energy solutions. She stated that she heard about a series of targets and programs focused on increasing renewable energy, including offshore wind in addition to solar power.

India has made significant progress on renewable energy in recent years, and the visit of the German special envoy for international climate action is a testament to this progress. The partnership between India and Germany in the area of renewable energy is an important example of how international cooperation can accelerate the transition to clean energy. With continued investment and cooperation, India has the potential to become a global leader in renewable energy.

In addition, India has set an ambitious target of producing five million tonnes of green hydrogen by the year 2030. This announcement was made as part of India's plan to reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of clean energy.

Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power. Unlike traditional hydrogen production, which relies on fossil fuels and emits large amounts of carbon dioxide, green hydrogen is considered a clean and sustainable source of energy.

India's push for green hydrogen is part of a larger plan to reduce the country's carbon footprint and shift towards cleaner forms of energy. The country has set a goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070 and is taking significant steps to achieve this target.

In addition to the production of green hydrogen, India is also investing in other forms of clean energy, such as solar and wind power. The country has set a target of reaching 450 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, which includes 280 gigawatts of solar power and 140 gigawatts of wind power.

To support the development of green hydrogen in the country, the Indian government has established a National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHEM) and is offering various incentives for companies to invest in green hydrogen production. The government is also planning to set up a national hydrogen energy grid and is exploring various partnerships with other countries to further accelerate the development of green hydrogen technology.

India's target of producing five million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 is an important step towards a more sustainable future. As the country continues to invest in clean energy and reduce its carbon footprint, it is setting an example for other countries to follow and demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable and greener future.

In conclusion, India's commitment to renewable energy is an important development in the fight against climate change. The country's ambitious targets for renewable energy generation are a clear indication of its commitment to sustainable development, and its progress in this area is impressive. India's investment in renewable energy infrastructure, coupled with the falling cost of renewable energy technologies, is making it easier for the country to achieve its goals. If India continues on this path, it has the potential to become a global leader in renewable energy, and to set an example for other countries to follow.