Power sector transition in Rajasthan
Introduction
Symbolic Importance
- immense potential
- significant investment
Rajasthan is responsible for an estimated 20% of India's total electricity generation, beat only by Karnataka.[1]
Current System Description
Current Power Capacity Mix
Over 20% of power in Rajasthan comes from renewable sources, with more solar installed than any other state in India and ranking third in wind power capacity.[2]
| Energy Source | Installed Capacity (MW) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coal | 11,655 MW | 34.33% |
| Oil and Gas | 1,019.8 MW | 3.00% |
| Wind | 4,304 MW | 12.68% |
| Solar | 15,525.5 MW | 45.74% |
| Hydropower | 361 MW | 1.06% |
| Nuclear | 1,080 MW | 3.18% |
| Total | 33,945.3 MW | 100% |
Prospective Power Capacity
| Energy Source | Announced | Pre-construction | Construction | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coal[4] | 1,330 | 5,320 | 0 | 6,650 |
| Wind[5] | 0 | 515 | 0 | 515 |
| Solar[6] | 6,311 | 18,071 | 1,675 | 26,046 |
| Hydropower[7] | 2,560 | 1,800 | 0 | 4,360 |
| Nuclear[8] | 0 | 2,800 | 1,400 | 4,200 |
| Total In-Development Power Capacity | 41,771 MW | |||
Renewables in Rajasthan
Renewable Targets
The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, recently announced Rajasthan's goal of achieving 125 GW of renewable energy by 2030, in line with India's national target of 500 GW in the same time frame.[9] The 125 GW will be comprised of 90 GW of solar, 25 GW of wind and hybrid power, and 10 GW of hydropower, pumped storage, and battery storage systems.[10]
Major Renewable Projects
Between 2020 and March 2024, Rajasthan had the greatest amount of renewable energy installed across Indian states. Approximately 31% of all non-hydro renewable energy installations in India throughout that time were located in Rajasthan.[11]
| Project Name | Energy Source | Installed Capacity (MW) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan IRESP wind farm | Wind | 900 | Shelved - Inferred after two years of no updates |
| Rajasthan solar farm | Solar | 900 | Shelved |
| Askandra solar farm | Solar | 100 | Cancelled - Inferred after four years of no updates |
| Phalodi (Corporate Ispat) solar farm | Solar | 50 | Cancelled - Inferred after four years of no updates |
| Jaisalmer (Altrade) wind farm | Wind | 30 | Cancelled - Inferred after four years of no updates |
Potential of Renewables
Rajasthan has significant solar resources, with strong winds, an estimated 325 clear sunny days annually, and solar radiation averaging approximately 6-7 kWh/m²/day.[2]
The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis has projected that Rajasthan has the potential to install over 428,000 MW of renewable energy (comprised of wind, solar, and large hydropower). As of October 2024, only 7% of this potential had been realized.[11]
Potential impacts from renewables expansion
Large solar parks are being permitted in states including Rajasthan, Karnataka, and existing policy mechanisms have been insufficient in ensuring justice throughout the project development process. Policies like the Land Acquisition Act 2013 are intended to ensure transparency and informed consent, but it is often circumvented, leading to landowners selling for less than its true value. Nomadic communities might not be considered in the leasing of "wasteland" that is essential to their ways of life. Loss of farmland also impacts the livelihoods of agricultural workers, and women are particularly vulnerable. In addition to these land impacts, water-intensive solar projects may be sited in drought-prone areas.[12]
Fossil Fuels in Rajasthan
Fossil Resources and Retirement
Rajasthan has four mines in operation, with a total production of 6.6 million tonnes per annum. The largest mine is the Kapurdi Coal Mine, which yielded 4.64 milion tonnes of coal in 2022 and employs 636 workers. In addition, two mines are mothballed, i.e. neither producing coal nor fully closed, and one mine is in-development: the Bithnok Lignite Mine, which is undergoing permitting.[13][14]
While no fossil fuel power generation has been retired in Rajasthan, a total of 7,010 MW of coal-fired generation has been cancelled during the development process.[4]
Current impacts from fossil fuel
Employment
Renewables workforce development efforts
Current employment from the fossil fuel sector
Prospective employment from the renewable energy sector
Supply Chain
Rajasthan has ample raw materials and existing manufacturing capabilities for materials used in wind and solar structures. The State produces silver, feldspar, and ball clay, all of which are used in solar panel cells and glass, as well as fiberglass, resin, and plastics used in turbine nacelles and blades.[2]
Land availability
Renewable energy development will require significant tracts of land. Wind energy projects require approximately 12,000 hectares per terrawatt hour per year. Meeting India's net-zero goals through wind and solar alone would require ~5 million hectares of land for solar plants and between 1.5 million – 2 million hectares for wind farms (in total, 1.7-2.5% of India’s area).[15]
Rajasthan is considered particularly well-suited for renewables development due to vast amounts of "wastelands" throughout the state, classified as "barren, desert-like lands with little productive use other than for livestock grazing." This type of land is also called Open Natural Ecosystems, and nomadic and pastoral communities are present throughout these stretches of land but are often overlooked in the consultation process. Development of the land could have have ecosystem-wide impacts by disturbing wildlife, releasing carbon stored in the soil, and restricting areas that pastoralists are able to access.[15] Pastoralists like the Raika community have already experienced disruption of their migratory routes,[16] and renewables development may exacerbate this.
Approximately 51,500 acres of industrial land is available for renewable development in Rajasthan.[2]
Civil Society Engagement
While Rajasthan is characterized as having wide, open expanses, but much of this land is community-conserved areas and communal lands known as "Orans." Residents conserve the plant and animal species found on these lands, which are spiritually significant and sacred. In light of wind and solar projects being sited on Orans, villagers from Jaisalmer marched 225 kilometers over nine days in protest. Other demonstrations were met with violence from local police.[17]
Governmental information
Related governmental policies and papers
Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy (2010, amended in 2019): Establishes a target of installing 25 GW of solar in Rajasthan, which would represent 25% of India's overall grid-connected solar target. The State will promote decentralized grid-connected and off-grid solar, rooftop solar, solar plus storage, charging stations, solar parks, transmission and distribution, and associated manufacturing needs. The Plan also names the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd as the Nodal Agency responsible for registering, approving, and permitting solar projects.[18]
Rajasthan State Action Plan on Climate Change (2022): Framework for addressing the current and projected impacts of climate change on Rajasthan. The Plan looks at emissions and mitigation measures across eight sectors: thermal power generation, industrial manufacturing, brick production, transportation, residential, agriculture, waste management, and tourism. Under business-as-usual operations, Rajasthan's emissions are expected to increase by 1.7 times by 2030, relative to 2022, with transportation seeing the largest increase. Specific mitigation measures in the power sector include 100% electrification of households, reducing electricity distribution losses, increased use of energy efficient equipment, and shifting toward renewable energy (developing ultra mega solar parks, deploying rooftop solar, use of solar powered pumps, etc.).[19]
Green Procurement Policy of the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (2023): Focused on green buildings, this policy encourages use of energy efficient equipment, clean technology, and low-carbon fuels.[20]
Rajasthan Renewable Energy Policy (2023): Establishes Rajasthan's renewable energy goal of 90 GW by 2030, broken down as 65 GW of solar, 15 GW of wind and hybrid energy, and 10 GW of hydropower, pumped storage, and battery storage systems. The Policy promotes decentralized solar, rooftop solar, off-grid applications like water pumps, renewable energy projects paired with storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, mega solar parks, transmission and distribution strengthening, and expanded manufacturing capacities. The Policy also names the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd as the Nodal Agency responsible for registering, approving, and permitting solar projects.[21]
Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024: Outlines the vision for a "stakeholder-driven" policy for developing Rajasthan's renewable energy sector. The Policy highlights the complementary nature of wind and solar and argues for strategic deployment to reduce variability and optimize use. Specific actions called for include the creation of a wind energy hub; promotion of distributed, rooftop, and floating solar energy systems; encouragement of projects for captive use; development of large-scale Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Projects; strengthening of existing distribution and transmission infrastructure; and building up domestic manufacturing capacities.[10]
Relevant governmental ministries
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE): Nodal Agency responsible for the development and installation of renewable energy resources. MNRE is tasked with creating and implementing policies and programs, as well as spearheading research and development. Specific goals of MNRE include improving energy efficiency, advancing energy equity, increasing share of clean energy, and increasing access to energy across the country.[22]
National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE): Housed under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, NIWE serves as the Nodal Agency for offshore wind development across India. NIWE operates across seven areas: Research and Development; Certification and Information Technology; Testing, Standards, and Regulation; Wind Resource Assessment; Offshore Wind Development; Skill Development and Training; and Finance and Administration.[23][24]
Rajasthan Department of Environment and Climate Change: Established in 2019, the Department focuses primarily on environmental and biodiversity conservation in the face of population growth, scientific and industrial development, and rapid urbanization in Rajasthan.[25]
Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC): RERC is tasked with a wide range of tasks: determining tariffs for generation, supply, transmission, and wheeling of electricity; regulating purchase and procurement processes; facilitating intra-state transmission; issuing relevant transmission and distribution licenses; promoting renewable generation and co-generation; and adjudicating relevant disputes.[26]
Relevant coalitions and partnerships
Coal India Ltd (CIL), a state-owned coal producer, has recently partnered with Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd to develop renewable energy in Rajasthan. These projects will largely be paired with coal-fired generation, and CIL will hold 74% of the joint venture's stake.[27]
The U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Rocky Mountain Institute have helped Rajasthan's Energy Department in medium- and long-term power sector planning, with a focus on the potential of rooftop solar.[28]
Public-Private Partnerships
In late September 2024, Tata Power signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of Rajasthan agreeming to an investment of an estimated INR ₹ 1.2 lakh crores (USD $14.27 billion) over ten years. This funding will be directed toward renewable energy projects and associated manufacturing, transmission, and distribution, as well as nuclear power, rooftop installations, and charging for electric vehicles.[11][29] On the same day, NTPC Green Energy Limited signed an MOU with the Government of Rajasthan to develop 25 GW of renewable energy projects across the state.[30]
Transmission
Two main bodies manage India's transmission system: the Power System Operation Corporation Ltd is the national grid operator, and the Power Grid Corporation of India serves as the central transmission utility.[1]
Current transmission resources
New transmission needed for renewables
- Green energy corridor - series of substations to support long stretches of RE across Rajasthan
Social and environmental impacts of new transmission
Transmission lines have been particularly dangerous for Great Indian Bustards, a large and critically endangered bird that tends to be concentrated in the Jaisalmer district in Rajasthan. Their size makes maneuvering around transmission lines particularly difficult, resulting in injuries, electrocution, and death. To address this, the Wildlife Institute of India recommends establishing zones where power lines are prohibited or moved underground to allow for clear pathways, as well as the installation of bird deterrents.[31]
Permitting
Environmental Impact Assessments are mandated by Environmental (Protection) Act of 1986, though a 2006 Notification on Environmental Impact Assessments exempt renewable energy projects from completing them. Wind and solar projects are also exempt from Consent to Operate requirements required by the State Pollution Control Board.[15]
The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd (RREC), which was created in 2002 after merging the Rajasthan Energy Development Agency and the Rajasthan State Power Corporation Ltd,[32] now serves as Rajasthan's nodal agency. In this role, RREC has broad responsibilities: selecting projects through competitive bidding, facilitating allotments of government land, arranging statutory clearances and approvals, and registering, approving, and accrediting projects broadly. RREC is expected to create an online portal to aid developers in navigating the required permissions and clearances, though this portal does not yet exist as of December 2024.[10]
Approval and clearance of renewable energy power projects on contingent on several factors listed below, in accordance with the newly released Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy (2024):[10]
- Submission and acceptance of a detailed project report
- Land availability
- Availability of power evacuation system for the proposed project
- Water availability for thermal solar plants, if applicable
- Documentation of a power purchase agreement or other evidence of power sale to a third party
- Clearance of the project's Security Deposit
The project developer must apply for approval within three months of the land lease being signed and must pay the security deposit within three months of the approval being received.[10]
Ownership
Major owners of current fossil capacity
A list of owners of Rajasthan's active fossil fuel (coal, oil & gas) capacity is listed in the table below:[3]
| Owner | Installed Capacity (MW) |
|---|---|
| Adani Power Ltd | 1,320 |
| DCM Shriram Ltd/DCM Shriram Industries Ltd | 266 |
| Hindustan Zinc Ltd | 474 |
| JSW Energy Ltd | 1,080 |
| KSK Energy Ventures Ltd | 135 |
| NLC India Ltd | 250 |
| NTPC Ltd | 419.3 |
| Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd | 8,180.5 |
| Shree Cement Ltd | 300 |
Major owners of prospective renewables
Several owners of operating fossil fuel capacity are actively developing wind, solar, nuclear, and hydropower facilities in Rajasthan. Owners of prospective wind and solar are listed below:[3]
| Owner | Installed Capacity (MW) |
|---|---|
| ABC Renewable Energy | 190 |
| ACME Group | 375 |
| Adani Green Energy/Adani Group | 7,917 |
| Amazon | 420 |
| Amp Energy/Amp Energy India | 855 |
| Amplus Solar | 121 |
| ArcelorMittal | 4,500 |
| Azure Power | 2,983 |
| Calpine Subsico Solar Energy Pvt Ltd | 90 |
| Hera Sun Power Pvt Ltd | 20 |
| Mahindra Susten | 75 |
| NHPC Ltd | 300 |
| NLC India Ltd | 500 |
| NTPC Ltd | 1,185 |
| O2 Power | 780 |
| Oil and Natural Gas Corp Ltd | 1,000 |
| Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd | 800 |
| ReNew Power | 2,950 |
| Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd | 1,300 |
| Sprng Energy | 200 |
Additionally, Greenko Energies is developing 1,800 MW of hydropower, and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd is developing 4,200 MW of nuclear.[3]
Finance
Potential providers of wind/solar finance
Just Energy Transition Partnerships
Other
Articles and resources
Related GEM.wiki articles
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 “Green Grids: India’s Pathways and Asia’s Preparedness,” The National Bureau of Asian Research, April 25 2024
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 “Renewable Energy,” RIsing Rajasthan, Retrieved December 11 2024
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, September 2024 release.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Global Coal Plant Tracker, Global Energy Monitor, July 2024 release.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Global Energy Monitor, Global Wind Power Tracker, June 2024 release.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Global Energy Monitor and TransitionZero, Global Solar Power Tracker, June 2024 release.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Global Energy Monitor, Global Hydropower Tracker, April 2024 release
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Global Energy Monitor, Global Nuclear Power Tracker, July 2024 release.
- ↑ “A“Rajasthan stands at the forefront of India’s renewable energy revolution,” says Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi - Union Minister Joshi addresses 'Rising Rajasthan: Transition towards a Sustainable Energy Economy' Summit in Jaipur,” Minitry of New and Renewable Energy, December 9 2024
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 “Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024,” Energy Department of the Government of Rajasthan, 2024
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 “Cementing Rajasthan's and Gujarat's Renewable Energy Leadership,” Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, October 2024
- ↑ “India Needs An Energy Justice Focus In Its Solar Transition,” Transitions Research, February 16 2024
- ↑ Global Energy Monitor, Global Coal Mine Tracker, April 2024 release.
- ↑ Global Energy Monitor, Global Coal Mine Tracker, September 2024 Supplement release.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 “Renewable energy projects must do more to safeguard India’s natural ecosystems,” Land & Climate Review, March 13 2024
- ↑ “Ruins of pastoralism in the Western Rajasthan borderland,” International Institute for Asian Studies, 2019
- ↑ “The Problem with Wind Farming on Rajasthan’s Sacred Lands,” EdgeEffects, May 23 2023
- ↑ “Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy, 2019,” Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited, August 22 2019
- ↑ “Rajasthan State Action Plan on Climate Change 2022,” Climate Studies of IIT Bombay in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Rajasthan, 2022
- ↑ “ORDER: Sub: In the matter of the Green Procurement Policy of the Commission,” Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission, March 4 2024
- ↑ “Rajasthan Renewable Energy Policy, 2023,” Government of Rajasthan Energy Department, October 6 2023
- ↑ “परिचय,” Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Retrieved December 18 2024
- ↑ “Welcome to the NIWE Website,” National Institute of Wind Energy, Retrieved December 18 2024
- ↑ “Departments,” National Institute of Wind Energy, Retrieved December 18 2024
- ↑ “Introduction,” Government of Rajasthan Department of Environment and Climate Change, Retrieved December 18 2024
- ↑ “About RERC,” Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission, Retrieved December 18 2024
- ↑ “Coal India and RRVUNL Partner to Boost Renewable Energy in Rajasthan,” Entrepreneur India, September 24 2024
- ↑ “Supporting India's States With Renewable Energy Integration,” U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Retrieved December 19 2024
- ↑ “Tata Power inks MoU with Rajasthan Government for an investment plan of ~₹ 1.2 lakh crores in Power Distribution, Transmission, and Renewables,” Tata Power, September 30 2024
- ↑ “NTPC Green Energy Limited Signs MoU with Government of Rajasthan for 25 GW Renewable Energy Projects,” NTPC, Retrieved December 19 2024
- ↑ “Power-Line Mitigation Measures, Second Edition,” Wildlife Institute of India, 2020
- ↑ “Welcome to RRECL,” Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation, Retrieved December 13 2024
