India’s renewable energy expansion is accelerating with plans for offshore wind, solar cell standards, and green hydrogen transport through pipelines, aiming for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future
India is stepping up its renewable energy efforts, with plans to increase solar capacity and transport green hydrogen via pipelines. Key developments include upcoming decisions on an Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar cells and ambitious goals for offshore wind energy projects. Ministers stressed the need to drive costs down, create infrastructure, and expand solar and nuclear power capacity to meet future energy demands.
India is set to intensify its renewable energy efforts, aiming for large-scale adoption of green technologies, including solar power, wind energy, and green hydrogen transport. The union government is considering several measures to boost these initiatives, with significant announcements made on September 4 at Powergen India 2024.
Pralhad Joshi, Minister for New & Renewable Energy, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, revealed that an Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar cells is under consideration, with a decision expected soon. This move is expected to strengthen the domestic solar industry by promoting quality standards and ensuring reliable supply chains.
The government has also approved a viability gap funding (VGF) of Rs 7,400 crore for 1 GW of offshore wind capacity. This will focus on high-potential regions such as Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, where offshore wind projects are already underway. Minister Joshi emphasised that the VGF will also support port upgrades and infrastructure development, which are key to the success of the offshore wind sector.
The government aims to bring down the cost of offshore wind energy from Rs 13 per unit to Rs 7 per unit, aligning with global benchmarks. To further this effort, 15 companies have been selected through a transparent tendering process to develop 15 GW of electrolyser capacity, a crucial step in the large-scale production of green hydrogen.
Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), announced that GAIL (Gas Authority of India Ltd) and IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation Ltd) are conducting surveys for the transport of green hydrogen via pipelines, marking a significant development in India’s green hydrogen infrastructure.
In light of these ambitious targets, Minister Joshi also highlighted the pressing need to expand nuclear power capacity, aiming to double its contribution to the energy mix by 2032. Solar capacity is also set to grow substantially, with plans to increase from 84 GW to 1500 GW by 2047.
These initiatives are part of India’s broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions and meet growing energy demands through sustainable and renewable sources.