Energy Security and Renewable Energy in India
Energy security has traditionally focused on the access, reliability, and affordability of fossil fuels. However, this perspective is narrow in light of global warming and India's goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. India's energy strategy involves two main tracks: fossil fuel demand (coal, oil, and gas) and renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biofuel, etc.). The country's objective is to reduce reliance on fossil fuels while increasing the share of renewables in its energy consumption mix.
Current Energy Security Status
- India has diversified its sources of crude oil and resisted international pressure to impose sanctions on Russia, ensuring a resilient supply chain.
- The share of Russian crude oil in India's import basket increased from 2.1% in 2021-22 to 35.1% in 2024-25, reducing the average cost of imported crude by at least $2/barrel.
- Efficiency improvements led to reduced fossil fuel demand per GDP unit.
Challenges in Renewable Energy Growth
- Although renewable energy capacity has grown impressively (from 19% to 49% of electricity generation capacity), the growth rate has slowed.
- There is a significant imbalance between generation capacity and the necessary transmission and distribution infrastructure.
- A regulatory miasma exists, with 2,735 compliance obligations identified across various government departments affecting the renewable sector.
- Compliance requires numerous manual processes and physical visits for approvals, creating barriers for renewable projects.
Regulatory and Infrastructure Concerns
- Renewable projects face challenges due to multiple regulatory agencies and a lack of a centralized authority for oversight.
- India's goal to create 500 GW of "usable" renewable electricity by 2035 is at risk due to these obstacles.
- Developing a seamless interstate transmission network and backup storage systems is crucial for achieving this target.
Potential Solutions and Government Role
- The government can simplify the regulatory process, standardise operating rules, and digitise approvals to facilitate renewable growth.
- Overcoming legacy vested interests requires a strong political will to achieve "Energy Atmanirbharta" and decouple economic growth from fossil fuel dependence.