Indian democracy is yet again at the crucial juncture of the beginning of another 5-year journey; our minds and terrains are steeped in the hues and shrills of another election. Who would win and who might lose is not for us to comment upon, apolitical as are our objectives – our voices the torchbearers for India’s solar journey alone. But it becomes incumbent to comment upon how the elections might affect India’s solar prospects, for many speculations fly around concerning the same, and chances are you might have come across a few too.
Why don’t we straightforwardly clear the air and tell you the truth? The die has been cast – there’s no going back in India’s commitment to promoting solar and other renewable energy. At least this is what the experts and analysts in the field, including NSEFI chairman Pranav Mehta, analysts at Wood Mackenzie and Fitch Solutions and the CEO of Hero Future Energies, tell us. India is bound to fulfil its commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement. The wheels for the world’s energy transition have been already set in motion, and in our nation too, its pace is less likely to be affected by the party politics. Hurray! Now that’s welcome news for all of us environment lovers and solar enthusiasts.
The current government has done a praiseworthy job in upgrading our solar target from 20 GW to 100 GW by 2022. Also, its well-thought measures and robust schemes have given us the best launch we could ask for. Its upcoming energy plans for the nation included electrification of all railway tracks, developing solar farming as an efficient source of additional income for farmers and, well, staying on track with its 100 GW solar energy target by 2022.
Challenges for the new government ahead
Whether or not our sunny dreams do really get translated into reality would depend as much on our learning from our past mistakes as our ability to remain committed to the vision of a solar India. Some of the challenges ahead for the upcoming government include
1. Attracting a steady flow of investments in the solar sector
2. Developing a catalytic environ for promotion of indigenous solar manufacturing industry – With the steady increase in demand for solar equipment, there’s much potential to boost domestic manufacturing of solar equipment. India cannot establish itself as a world leader in solar energy without developing its own robust solar manufacturing industry. How are we to do the same without decelerating our solar capacity addition is one of the biggest challenges in the solar arena before the Indian government.
3. Developing a more favourable energy storage policy and formulating the requisite amendments in tariff guidelines
Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the momentum of renewable energy transition we have earnestly achieved continues, and the call of a green, flourishing future reaches more of hearts and homes.
