Unleashing The Potential Of Renewable Energy In India (world Bank Studies)
by Sudeshna Ghosh Banerjee /
2011 / English / PDF
1.2 MB Download
India has 150GW of renewable energy potential, about half in the
form of small hydropower, biomass, and wind and half in solar,
cogeneration, and waste-to-energy. Developing renewable energy can
help India increase its energy security, reduce the adverse impacts
on the local environment, lower its carbon intensity, contribute to
more balanced regional development, and realize its aspirations for
leadership in high-technology industries.
India has 150GW of renewable energy potential, about half in the
form of small hydropower, biomass, and wind and half in solar,
cogeneration, and waste-to-energy. Developing renewable energy can
help India increase its energy security, reduce the adverse impacts
on the local environment, lower its carbon intensity, contribute to
more balanced regional development, and realize its aspirations for
leadership in high-technology industries.
This study aims to answers critical questions on why renewable
energy development is relevant in Indian context, on how much
development is economically feasible, and on what needs to be done
to realize the potential. The Report is based on data from nearly
180 wind, biomass, and small hydropower projects in 20 states, as
well as information from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
(MNRE) and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission
(CERC).
This study aims to answers critical questions on why renewable
energy development is relevant in Indian context, on how much
development is economically feasible, and on what needs to be done
to realize the potential. The Report is based on data from nearly
180 wind, biomass, and small hydropower projects in 20 states, as
well as information from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
(MNRE) and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission
(CERC).
The Report suggests that about 3GW of renewable energy – all from
small hydropower is conomically feasible, when the avoided cost of
coal-based generation of Rs 3.08/kWh is considered. About 59GW of
renewable energy in wind, biomass, and small hydropower is
available at less than Rs 5/kWh. The entire cumulative capacity of
68GW in these three technologies can be harnessed at less than Rs
6/kWh. About 62GW―90 percent of cumulative renewable capacity in
wind, biomass, and small hydropower―is economically feasible when
the environmental premiums on coal are brought into
consideration.
The Report suggests that about 3GW of renewable energy – all from
small hydropower is conomically feasible, when the avoided cost of
coal-based generation of Rs 3.08/kWh is considered. About 59GW of
renewable energy in wind, biomass, and small hydropower is
available at less than Rs 5/kWh. The entire cumulative capacity of
68GW in these three technologies can be harnessed at less than Rs
6/kWh. About 62GW―90 percent of cumulative renewable capacity in
wind, biomass, and small hydropower―is economically feasible when
the environmental premiums on coal are brought into
consideration.
Realizing the need to bridge this gap, the government has set an
ambitious target of installing at least 40GW of additional capacity
of renewables in the next 10 years. India has made tremendous
strides in establishing overarching policy framework and
institutions to bring renewable in the mainstream of energy mix,
but significant financial, infrastructure and regulatory barriers
to renewable energy development remain which the report sheds light
on and suggests possible solutions.
Realizing the need to bridge this gap, the government has set an
ambitious target of installing at least 40GW of additional capacity
of renewables in the next 10 years. India has made tremendous
strides in establishing overarching policy framework and
institutions to bring renewable in the mainstream of energy mix,
but significant financial, infrastructure and regulatory barriers
to renewable energy development remain which the report sheds light
on and suggests possible solutions.