Renewable energy world leading power source

Context:

A study has highlighted that for the first time ever, renewable energy has eclipsed coal as the world’s leading source of electricity.

UPSC Relevance:

Energy sources including renewable energy.

PYQ:

Q. With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)

1.It is a Public Limited Government Company. 

2.It is a Non-Banking Financial Company. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2 

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Renewable energy status:

• For the first time ever, renewable energy (34.3%) eclipsed coal (33.1%) as the world’s leading source of electricity.
• In India, Non-fossil sources accounted for 50.1% of its installed electric capacity.
• Global renewables could more than double by the end of the decade, with 80 percent of new clean energy capacity expected to come from solar power.
• China would remain the world’s biggest growth market for renewables, with India emerging as the second largest over the decade.

India Renewable Energy Target:

• 2030 Goal: Achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity.
• Short-Term Milestones: Reach 50% of energy capacity from renewable sources by 2030.
• Current Progress: As of January 2025, India has achieved 217.62 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity.
• Net-Zero Commitment: Attain net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

Government schemes driving renewable energy success:

• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: Facilitated rooftop solar installations, especially in urban areas.
• Green Energy Corridor (GEC): Strengthened transmission systems for renewable energy-rich states.
• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME): Promoted electric mobility, indirectly supporting renewable energy adoption.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): Aimed to foster global cooperation in solar energy deployment.
• National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM): Enhanced grid integration to accommodate variable renewable energy sources.
• Hydrogen Energy Mission: Pushed for green hydrogen production as an alternative fuel.

Challenges to renewable energy in India:

• Land Acquisition Issues: Large-scale projects like solar parks face resistance from local communities over land use.
• Grid Stability: Intermittency of Renewable Energy sources like solar and wind strains grid reliability, especially during peak production.
• Storage Limitations: Lack of large-scale energy storage solutions hinders efficient utilization of renewable power.
• E-Waste Management: Rising deployment of solar panels and batteries creates challenges in end-of-life recycling.
• Resource Dependency: Dependence on imported critical minerals like lithium and cobalt affects the supply chain.
• Policy and Regulatory Hurdles: Delayed approvals and inconsistencies in state-level policies slow down project execution.

Way ahead:

• Floating Solar Projects: Utilize reservoirs and water bodies for solar installations, preserving land and enhancing efficiency.
• Decentralized Energy Systems: Promote blockchain-enabled peer-to-peer energy trading to support small-scale renewable generation.
• Green Hydrogen Push: Establish hydrogen highways and integrate surplus renewable energy for hydrogen production.
• Circular Economy for E-waste: Develop comprehensive policies for recycling solar panels and batteries to reduce environmental risks.
• Urban Renewable Energy Integration: Create incentives for rooftop solar and wind turbines in densely populated urban areas.
• Regional Energy Hubs: Establish Renewable Energy Special Economic Zones (RE-SEZs) for localized manufacturing and innovation.

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