India is implementing the world's largest Renewable Energy (RE) expansion program, envisaging a 5-fold increase in the overall RE production capacity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target to install 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030. Abundant solar energy and local technology are aiding in achieving this target while reducing carbon emissions. All this is towards PM Modi's mission of an Atmanirbhar Bharat or a self-reliant India that does not have to depend on imports to meet its energy needs.
Generating electricity from solar and wind energy is helping move away from coal-based generation while using electricity-charged batteries is cutting dependence on liquid fuels like petrol and diesel. Zero-carbon hydrogen has the potential to decarbonize the Indian industry, cutting emissions and lowering dependence on imported fuel.
PM Modi had at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in November 2021, expressed to intensify India's Climate Action Plan (CAP) by presenting to the world five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India's climate action plan.
Apart from a five-pronged target for India and its commitment to Net-Zero emissions by 2070, PM Modi also asserted the need to follow a sustainable lifestyle and emphasized the idea of making 'Lifestyle for Environment' (LiFE) a global mission through bolder steps by the global clean energy fraternity. During the G20 Summit in September 2023, the New Delhi Declaration committed itself to implementing India's 'Lifestyle for Environment Mission' (LiFE) initiative and promoting Artificial Intelligence towards achieving the UN SDGs. By adopting the 'Green Development Pact,' G-20 has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable and green growth.
The Mission Innovation (MI) and International Solar Alliance, spearheaded by PM Modi, were announced at COP21 in 2015 when the United Nations conferred on him the 'Champions of Earth Award 2018. The term' Mission Innovation' was coined by PM Modi. MI is a global initiative of 23 countries and the European Commission (on behalf of the European Union) to accelerate the Clean Energy revolution and progress towards the Paris Agreement goals and pathways to net zero. India is a founding member of Mission Innovation. The first phase of Mission Innovation (MI) (2015-2020) was announced at COP21 on November 30, 2015. In the first phase of Mission Innovation, India led three MI Innovation Challenges, such as Smart Grids, Off Grid Access to Electricity and Sustainable Biofuels, and hosted many workshops.
The Modi government has taken several policy initiatives to advance green development in India, such as the Production Linked Incentives (PLI) scheme for high-efficiency solar PV modules, Renewable Purchase Obligations and Carbon Credit Trading Scheme. The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), to be led by India, Brazil, and the United States as leading biofuel producers and consumers, will significantly help achieve India's MDG Goal of turning net zero by 2070.
Energy independence is economically advantageous. A shift to electric transportation will create $ 2.5 trillion in net consumer savings by 2047.
India has remained steadfast in its transition towards clean energy, achieving the fastest pace of renewable capacity addition amongst all major economies and ambitious transition goals articulated by Prime Minister Modi in India's Panchamrit declaration at COP26. India stands at the forefront of addressing the global challenge of Climate Change. It has committed to ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of reducing emission intensity by 33-35% in 2030 against the levels of the year 2005. Over the last nine years, India has witnessed the Indian crusade against climate change as it has already achieved our commitment of 40% energy production from renewable sources, way ahead of the 2030 Paris Agreement target.
Apart from the thrust on renewable energy from solar and hydel, the Prime Minister announced major strides in Hydrogen energy in his Independence Day Address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15 2021. India also launched the National Hydrogen Energy Mission to enable cost-competitive green hydrogen production. In fact, India's energy-mix strategies include a larger shift toward clean energy alternatives, increased manufacturing capacities, energy use efficiency and a policy push for Hydrogen, including production-linked incentives. In addition, emerging technologies like 2G Ethanol Pilot, Comfort climate box for tropical regions, Hydrogen Valleys, and Heating and Cooling virtual repository are all on the PM table.
India is among the few countries in the world to design a Cooling Action Plan (CAP) with a long-term vision (spanning 20 years from 2017-18 to 2037-38) that addresses cooling requirements across sectors. CAP identifies possible actions to reduce cooling demand from residential and commercial buildings, cold chains, etc., covering aspects of building design and technological innovations that do not compromise energy efficiency.
Today, India, under the leadership of PM Modi, is uniquely poised to emerge as a prominent global leader in the production of Green Hydrogen not just based on its abundant renewable energy resources and the benefits of one of the world's lowest costs of regeneration but also because of its R&D ecosystem and the framework designed for R&D in cross-cutting sectors of hydrogen production, transport, electrolyze manufacturing, support infrastructure, fuel cell EVs, storage and utilization.
Today, nearly 9% of the share of electricity is likely to be contributed from India's nuclear sources by 2047. The Department of Atomic Energy aims to achieve 20 GW nuclear power generation capacity by 2030, a major milestone placing India as the world's third largest producer of atomic energy after the USA and France. Credit for this rapid stride goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who approved ten reactors in fleet mode in a single order for the first time after Independence and allowed nuclear installations to be developed under joint ventures with PSUs. As a result, today, India is the sixth largest in the world in the number of functional reactors and the second largest in the total number of reactors, including those under construction.
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023, passed by the Parliament, will promote the culture of research and innovation throughout India's universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories at a total estimated cost of Rs. 50,000 crores during five years and this will give further impetus to Clean energy research in India and Mission Innovation. As much as 70% of its funding will come from non-governmental source
With a population of 1.4 billion, India has a massive demand for energy to fuel its rapidly growing economy. From a power deficit nation a decade ago, the efforts to make India energy-independent have continued since 2014. Keeping in mind the sustainable development goals, India's power generation mix is rapidly shifting towards a more significant share of renewable energy. Today, India is the world's third-largest producer of renewable energy, with 40% (157.32 GW ) of its installed electricity capacity coming from non-fossil fuel sources.
The world's fifth-largest economy, India can achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat push spans from a massive renewable capacity addition to electric mobility, saving billions of dollars in imports. Clean energy will reduce and inflation-proof India's energy expenditure as renewables, EV batteries, and hydrogen infrastructure are capital assets with rapidly falling costs.
