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Global perspectives on rooftop solar energy: Leading economies and strategies

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The global energy transition is gaining momentum, and rooftop solar (RTS) systems are playing a significant role in addressing the world’s growing energy demand. With projections suggesting a 75% increase in global electricity demand by 2050 (IEA 2022), geopolitical disruptions, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, have further underscored the need for a shift toward renewable energy (RE) sources. Solar photovoltaics (PV) in particular, including distributed solar technologies, are well-positioned to…

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Repurposing India’s Ageing Thermal Power Plants: Ensuring a Just Transition for Workers and Communities

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India’s thermal power plants (TPPs) with an installed capacity of 218 GW in 2024 provide over 70% of the nation’s electricity generation. These plants employ around 320,000 to 400,000 individuals across the country. However, 15% of this capacity comes from ageing plants over 30 years old, which need either decommissioning or repurposing. The transition involves creating viable alternatives for these plants while ensuring that the workers and communities dependent on them are not left vulnerable….

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Accelerating Wind Repowering in Tamil Nadu

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Tamil Nadu stands as a leader in India’s power sector, ranking third in the nation with a total installed power capacity of 39.7 GW as of March 2024. Of this, renewable energy accounts for 56%, with wind power contributing a substantial 10.7 GW, making Tamil Nadu the second-highest in India for wind energy capacity. Coal and lignite dominate the state’s energy generation, comprising 37% of the installed capacity, while wind energy accounts for 26.7% of…

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Green and Transition Finance in India

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India stands at a unique crossroads, balancing the goals of decarbonisation and industrial growth. While the power and transport sectors have made notable strides toward decarbonisation, industrial emissions remain a significant challenge. To meet its climate commitments, India will require an estimated capital influx of USD 10.1 trillion by 2070. This is where both green and transition finance come into play, with green finance backing low-emission technologies aligned with the Paris Agreement, and transition finance…

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Unlocking Climate Finance: How Capital Markets Can Drive India’s Green Transition

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Despite the global acknowledgement of climate change, there has been a significant lag in the financial and technical support promised by developed countries to developing nations. These delays worsen as extreme weather conditions intensify, disproportionately affecting vulnerable developing countries. India, with a population of 1.4 billion and a per capita income of around USD 2,500, is particularly vulnerable. Although India’s per capita emissions remain relatively low at 1.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e),…

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India’s Path to Net Zero: Strategy for Decarbonizing the Energy Sector

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India’s energy sector contributes significantly to its greenhouse gas emissions. In 2023, energy-related emissions accounted for about 75% of the country’s total carbon footprint. The electricity sector alone was responsible for over 40% of the total emissions, primarily due to coal-based power generation. This highlights the urgent need for a green transition in electricity production. India is already making strides, with solar and wind capacities growing, but a lot more is required to address these…

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Critical Energy Transition Minerals: A Path to Equitable and Sustainable Global Energy Future

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The global shift towards renewable energy presents an enormous opportunity, but it also introduces significant challenges, particularly when it comes to the sourcing of critical energy transition minerals (CETMs). These minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements (REEs), are essential components for the technologies driving the energy transition. With the demand for these minerals set to nearly triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the…

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Natural Hydrogen: A Low-Cost, Low-Carbon Alternative for a Net-Zero Carbon Future

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Most hydrogen used today is produced from fossil fuels, primarily natural gas, through processes like steam methane reforming. These processes are carbon-intensive and release large quantities of CO2, making them unsuitable for a net-zero future. Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, and blue hydrogen, produced with carbon capture and storage (CCS), are considered clean alternatives. However, these methods are costly, and green hydrogen faces challenges due to the intermittency of renewable energy…

Company Profile: NTPC

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NTPC Limited, India’s largest power utility, has shown strong financial performance, significant capacity expansion, and renewable energy and nuclear power initiatives. The company achieved record highs in market capitalisation, profit, and electricity generation while advancing its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Here’s a detailed look at NTPC’s achievements and plans. Financial Performance In FY 2023-24, NTPC reported a consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 213.32 billion, a 25% increase from the previous year. The…

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Transforming Delhi’s Power Grid

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Delhi’s electricity demand has surged by 20% since 2014-15, with peak load increasing by over 30%. This growth is primarily fueled by domestic consumption, which accounts for nearly 60% of the city’s total demand. With a projected population of over 20 million by 2030, Delhi is on track to become the world’s largest metropolitan city. The city’s peak electricity demand, which reached 7,700 MW in 2022, is expected to rise by 50% by 2030, hitting…