New Delhi (Agency): India is on a path to revolutionize its energy landscape by significantly increasing the share of renewable energy sources in its total energy mix. The government recently informed Parliament that the states’ renewable energy purchase obligation (RPO) would rise to 43.33% by 2029-30, a substantial leap from the current 24.61% in 2022-23.
The Union Power Minister, R K Singh, shared this positive development on Tuesday. He also highlighted that during the ongoing fiscal year 2023-24, the total RPO for states is set at 27.08%. It is expected to further increase to 29.91% in 2024-25 and 33.01% in 2025-26.
The push towards renewables comes as part of India’s ambitious plan to achieve 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. To attain this goal, the government has prescribed obligations for the states to purchase renewable energy. This move is aimed at promoting the use of various forms of renewable energy and reducing the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Under the RPO trajectory issued by the government, states are required to meet a certain percentage of their energy consumption from renewable energy sources like wind, hydro, and others. The trajectory applies uniformly to all states across the country. In case of any shortfall in the RPO, states have the option to compensate by purchasing renewable energy certificates or from excess hydro purchase obligations.
The increase in the use of renewable energy sources is vital for addressing environmental concerns, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and combating climate change. The move towards renewable energy will also have positive implications for the sustainability and energy security of the nation.
The Power Minister’s statement also sheds light on the capacity utilization of thermal power plants in the country. The Plant Load Factor (PLF) of a thermal unit is influenced by various factors such as the age of the units, past performance, planned outages, availability of fuel, and power demand. According to Singh, during the year 2022-23, the PLF of thermal power plants increased to 64.15% from 58.91% in the previous year, indicating a significant rise of 5.24%.
Additionally, the government’s projections for the future indicate a decline in the share of coal-based capacity and an increase in renewable energy-based capacity. The share of coal-based capacity in the total installed capacity is expected to decrease to 38.57% in 2026-27 and further to 28.83% in 2031-32. In contrast, the share of renewable energy-based capacity is predicted to rise to 55.20% in 2026-27 and further increase to 66.22% in 2031-32.
These projections signal a clear shift in India’s energy sector towards a greener and more sustainable future. The government’s emphasis on promoting renewable energy sources will not only contribute to environmental protection but also enhance the nation’s energy security and economic development.
The move towards renewable energy aligns with global efforts to transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. As India moves towards achieving its renewable energy targets, it is likely to set an example for other nations to follow in the fight against climate change and the promotion of a cleaner and greener world.