Why in the News
India’s installed non-fossil fuel electricity capacity has crossed 300 GW, reaching about 60% of the 500 GW-by-2030 target. The milestone tests whether capacity addition can translate into actual generation share.
What is the 500 GW non-fossil target?
- Panchamrit pledge: India committed at the Glasgow climate summit to 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, one of five climate promises.
- Coverage: The target counts solar, wind, large hydro, and nuclear capacity, not solar alone, and is distinct from total installed capacity that includes coal and gas.
Why does capacity not equal generation?
- Low capacity factors: Solar and wind generate only when the sun shines or wind blows, so 300 GW of capacity yields a smaller share of actual units generated.
- Storage gap: Firming intermittent supply needs battery and pumped-hydro storage, which lags capacity addition.
- Grid integration: Evacuating renewable power from generation clusters needs transmission build-out and grid balancing.
Conclusion
India has met a large share of its capacity target ahead of schedule. The next milestone is closing the storage and transmission gap so non-fossil capacity delivers a proportionate share of generation.
Matching Previous Year Question
“[2022, GS3, 15 marks] Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain.”