Day: July 26, 2024

The proportion of installed capacity from coal/lignite has decreased from 55 per cent in 1947 to 50 per cent in 2024, but it still dominates, accounting for 50 per cent of installed capacity and 73 per cent of generation as of March 2024. Central Electricity Authority (CEA) projects coal/lignite will still comprise 32 per cent of installed capacity by 2030. Coal-based plant installations surged between 2007 and 2017, driven by high spot prices in power…

Germany’s Climate Strategy in the Power Sector Germany has long sought to lead international climate policy, championing the Kyoto Protocol and setting 1990 emissions targets. Despite setbacks in the 1990s and 2000s, Germany supported the European Union’s (EU) emissions trading system (ETS) and, following the Paris Agreement, the EU Green Deal for climate neutrality by 2050. Under Germany’s 2020 EU presidency, the 2030 emissions reduction target was raised to at least 55% below 1990 levels….

The Electricity Act of 2003 mandates State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) to set minimum renewable energy (RE) shares for states, known as Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), which apply to distribution companies (DISCOMs) and other obligated entities. It binds entities to purchase a certain percentage of their total electricity consumption from RE sources. Initially, RPOs were divided into solar and non-solar categories. In 2019, hydro power obligations (HPO) were introduced, and in 2022, RPOs were categorized…

At the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai, global governments pledged to triple renewable generation capacity from 3.8 TW in 2022 to 11.2 TW by 2030. This increase in variable renewables poses grid security and flexibility challenges. Hydropower, among low-carbon options, is the most versatile and cost-effective solution for grid stability. Its key strengths are flexibility and resilience, complementing variable renewables with services ranging…

The Indo-Pacific region, spanning the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific, has become increasingly prominent due to shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly in trade, investment, infrastructure, and security. The Indo-Pacific’s experience with high carbon emissions and advancements in renewable energy—such as India’s 35.8% and Indonesia’s 22% share of clean energy in 2020—provides useful insights for Latin America, which faces similar energy supply and development issues. Both regions are facing transitioning to renewable energy amid large…

The hydrogen market in India is predominantly grey hydrogen, produced from natural gas, accounting for about 5.6 million tonnes annually, which is nearly 6 per cent of global consumption. However, India aims to transition to green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, to support its low-carbon economy goals. The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) launched by the Government of India (GoI) aims to establish at least 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen production capacity by 2030,…

Hydropower has a history dating back to the late 19th century, contributing to societal and economic development. However, the sector faced challenges, particularly in the 1990s, when numerous projects were criticized for their adverse environmental and social impacts. This criticism led to a decline in new projects and heightened scrutiny. The establishment of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) in 1998 marked a shift towards more sustainable practices. The WCD set guidelines to safeguard the…