An Energy Revolution In The Making, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• Over 21 lakh of 65 lakh homes under PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar scheme have achieved zero electricity bills.
• India's installed solar capacity has increased by approximately 6007%, from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 171 GW today.
• The cost of solar power has significantly reduced from ₹8 per unit in 2014-15 to as low as ₹2.15 per unit.
• India is the only G20 country to have met its 2030 target of 50% non-fossil fuel capacity five years early.
• The country aims for 500 GW of installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, requiring $220 billion in investment.
• Over 30 lakh standalone solar pumps have been installed under the PM-KUSUM scheme, transforming farmers into energy producers.
• The National Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 million tonnes per year of green hydrogen production by 2030.

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Detailed Insights:

• The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024, aims to provide up to 300 units of free electricity monthly to one crore households through rooftop solar installations.
• The scheme involves a government investment of over ₹75,000 crore and offers subsidies and concessional bank loans to beneficiaries.
• The second phase of India's energy revolution will focus on agri-photovoltaics under PM-KUSUM 2.0, pairing storage with solar, prioritising state-level green corridors, and deepening rooftop solar penetration.
• India's 500 GW non-fossil fuel commitment by 2030 requires $150 billion domestic and $70 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
• The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has boosted domestic manufacturing, with solar module capacity exceeding 225 GW and cell capacity around 45 GW.
• The Central Electricity Authority projects a need for 236 GWh of batteries by 2031-32.
• The recently approved Green Energy Corridor Phase-III will support 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with ₹50,000 crore and new transmission infrastructure.
• India's 2023 G20 Presidency saw the African Union join the G20, with leaders agreeing to triple renewables capacity by 2030.
• As BRICS Chair, India facilitated the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, backing a BRICS Solar PV Cooperation Roadmap and principles for smart grids and storage.
• The International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded by India and France in 2015, has 130 signatory and member countries and aims to mobilise $1000 billion in investments by 2030.
• The upcoming Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026 will host the Ninth ISA Assembly and Fourth International Conference on Green Hydrogen.

Key Concepts Involved:

• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: A government scheme launched in 2024 to provide free electricity to one crore households through rooftop solar installations.
• PM-KUSUM Scheme: A scheme launched in 2019 to provide financial support to farmers for installing standalone solar pumps and grid-connected solar power plants.
• Viksit Bharat by 2047: India's vision to become a developed nation by the 100th year of its independence.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission: An initiative to establish India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, utilization, and export.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): An intergovernmental organization of 130+ countries working to promote solar energy deployment globally.
• Green Energy Corridor: A program to build dedicated transmission infrastructure for evacuating renewable energy from generation-rich areas to load centers.