Overcoming Renewable Energy Sector Challenges Essential for Viksit Bharat

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda highlighted ongoing issues in the renewable energy sector, stressing the need to address core challenges to meet India's energy demands. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, he praised the Modi-led government for its efforts over the past decade but noted that significant concerns remain.

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Renewable Energy Growth and Challenges

Gowda acknowledged India's progress from hydel power to solar and wind energy. He cited international commitments and the increase in non-fossil fuel generation capacities. However, he pointed out that 80% of India's energy still comes from fossil fuels, with renewables contributing only 20%.

Niranjan Bishi of BJD raised issues like insufficient funding for new technologies and delays in project implementation. He mentioned infrastructure needs and land acquisition problems as major hurdles causing delays and cost overruns in large-scale energy projects.

Government Targets and Budget Concerns

Gowda referred to the government's goal of achieving 50% installed capacity from renewable sources by 2030. He expressed disappointment over the lack of a special package for this sector in the current year's Budget. He also highlighted a Teri report estimating a 400% increase in energy demand by 2050.

Sagarika Ghose of TMC criticised the government for missing targets set at the COP 26 Glasgow meet in 2021. She noted that India aimed for 100 gigawatts of solar and 60 gigawatts of wind capacity by 2022 but has only achieved 81.6 gigawatts for solar and 45.8 gigawatts for wind by 2024.

Regional Disparities and Environmental Concerns

Gowda stressed the need to address regional disparities for faster growth in the renewable sector. He suggested proper support for lagging states and cautioned against hurried transitions that could harm biodiversity. He recommended using only degraded land for renewable energy installations.

AD Singh of RJD expressed concern over importing parts from China and Vietnam for solar energy production. V Sivadasan of CPIM accused the government of crony capitalism, which he said hindered meeting earlier renewable energy targets.

Opposition Criticisms and Government Defence

Sumer Singh Solanki of BJP refuted opposition allegations, listing several schemes by the Modi government. He claimed even poor households now have rooftop solar power, contrasting it with previous Congress-led governments' failures.

Milind Deora of Shiv Sena mentioned that the government allocated Rs 19,000 crore to the ministry, double from last year. He noted that India's installed non-fossil fuel capacity has surged by 400% in the last 8.5 years, reaching 203 gigawatts.

Ghose pointed out that from April 2023 to March 2024, solar energy contributed only 6.69% to total electricity generation, while wind contributed 4.71%. She criticised the government's focus on large projects over small-scale decentralised renewables.

The discussion underscored both achievements and ongoing challenges in India's renewable energy sector. While progress has been made, significant issues like funding, regional disparities, and environmental impacts need addressing to meet future energy demands effectively.