India's green ambitions stalled by grid congestion and infrastructure gaps

How transmission bottlenecks are threatening India's renewable energy projects. (See the linked source for details.)

Source

Indian Express — Explained →

Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01India's renewable energy generation is outpacing its transmission and evacuation infrastructure.
02Over 50 GW of clean energy is being stranded due to transmission bottlenecks in India.
03India has surpassed 50% non-fossil power capacity ahead of its 2030 target.
04Grid congestion, under-utilised transmission infrastructure, and coordination gaps are hindering renewable energy expansion in India.
05Misalignment between generation commissioning and evacuation infrastructure is driving congestion and curtailment in India's grid.
06India must treat transmission as the new frontier of energy reform to achieve its clean power goals.

Trap alerts

Most people think that India has sufficient transmission infrastructure to support its renewable energy projects, but actually, it is struggling to keep pace with growth.
Most people think that grid congestion is only a minor issue in India's renewable energy expansion, but actually, it is a major hindrance.

Mains Practice Question

Critically examine the transmission bottlenecks hindering India's renewable energy projects and their impact on achieving the target of 40% electricity generation from non-fossil fuels by 2030.

250 words

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Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

What is the target of renewable energy capacity in India by 2025?

A.220 GW
B.250 GW
C.200 GW
D.280 GW

The Ministry of Power has set a target of achieving 220 GW of renewable energy capacity in India by 2025.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding India's Renewable Energy Capacity: 1. India's renewable energy capacity has grown from 32 GW in 2014 to 120 GW in 2022. 2. The Ministry of Power is responsible for implementing the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2018. 3. India's renewable energy capacity is expected to reach 250 GW by 2030. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

Statement 1 is incorrect because it misrepresents the actual growth in India's renewable energy capacity from 32 GW in 2014 to 104 GW in 2022. Statement 2 is correct as per fact #4 that MNRE is responsible for implementing the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2018. Statement 3 is incorrect because it misrepresents the expected capacity by 2030, which is actually 220 GW according to the Ministry of Power.

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