Powering a Greener Tomorrow: Government initiative for renewable energy in India & The State of Rajasthan

Rajasthan set sights on a greener tomorrow, targeting 70% renewable energy by 2030

The draft unveiled by the Energy Department of Rajasthan which outlines a remarkable shift in the state's energy landscape. Rajasthan has outlined its objectives, with the purpose of achieving them by 2030 .

The Energy Department marks a pivotal moment in the state’s energy transformation. With defined objective for 2030 the vision is to establish a low-carbon, integrated, and resilient energy system, ensuring secure, reliable, affordable, and clean energy to drive inclusive and sustainable development throughout Rajasthan.

Current Scenerio

Rajasthan has a total of 19116.80 MW of renewable energy capacity installed. Solar power takes the lead with 14454.70 MW, followed by wind at 4537.02 MW and biomass- based plants at 125.08 MW.

While Rajasthan is a leader in renewable power with a total installed capacity of 21,237 MW, including a solar power capacity of 16,406 MW (including ground-mounted, rooftop, hybrid solar, and off-grid categories), which is the highest among the Indian States, Gujarat has non emerged as number 2 with a total renewable capacity of 19,016 MW, including 8888 MW of Solar Capacity. Solar Power under implementation on Rajasthan 23,207.50 MW March 2023- November 2026.

2030 Goals

The state of Rajasthan in India is poised for an energy transformation that is nothing short of remarkable. With an ambitious vision set for 2030, Rajasthan aims to harness its abundant renewable energy potential to not only fulfill its own electricity aims to harness its abundant renewable energy potential to not only fulfill its own electricity needs but also to export power to other states. At the heart of this vision is the installation of a staggering 100 GW of renwable energy capacity, with an ingenious plan that utilizes just 0.5 percent of the state’s land area.

The vision that the state has set out for will be achieved by 2030 is 450 GW of RE capacity installed in the state. With the highest installed solar generation capacity (Over 8000 MW), it leads India’s renewable energy bandwagon.

Action have been taken by government to accomplish this goal

By 2030 ensure access to 24x7 affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, increase substantially the share of renewable energy mix, improve energy efficiency, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology to provide cleaner energy in order to promote sustainable and environment friendly economic growth and development.

Commitment for 2030:

• Provide statewide 24x7 power for all
• Reduce transmission loss levels in energy distribution companies
• Increase renewable energy (solar, wind,hydropower, geothermal) share in total energy mix
• Build 100% energy efficient communities
• Ensure adoption of energy efficient lighting across state
• 100% and energy efficient equipment across Rajasthan

2030 Target and Indicators to track progress

• By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
• By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, enrgy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
• By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programs of support

Tapping the Solar and Wind Power

Rajasthan explores itself in a favorable position, because of the presence of ample renewable energy resources and extensive barren land. Moreover, the state’s insolation rating has escalated from 5.2 to 5.7 kilowatts per square meter, indicating a conducive environment for solar energy generation. Especially, in regions such as Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur almost half of the state’s vast 41,949 square kilometer area promotes favorable conditions for tapping solar energy.

The state will assist in the early by cutting down diesel-based captive power generation through the boost of low-carbon alternative like captive RE plants (solar,wind or hybrid).

Rajasthan consumes approximately 250 thousand metric tonnes of hydrogen. The state is fufilling this dmand through in-state production of green hydrogen would need 5 GW of solar capacity, 2 GW of electrolyser capacity, and an investment worth INR 40,000 crore.

Path Towards Cleaner Future

Rajasthan will design financial and non-financial incentives to aid industries with a high coal dependence to switch to cleaner and low-carbon fuels including electricity, natural gas, hydrogen, and biomass. The state will create a ‘Clean Energy Investment Fund’ to facilitate financial incentives in the form of capital grants, interest subsidies, and risk guarantees to captivate domestic and international investment into renewables R&D labs and production units for strategic energy technologies in Rajasthan.