Modi 2.0 Government mulling to add 500 GW renewable energy by 2030

The Modi 2.0 government is in the mood to add 500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy to its electricity grid by 2030. A senior official in the renewable energy ministry said that the move aims to clean up the air in the Indian cities as it would help contain pollution and lessen the fast-growing Indian economy's dependency on coal. Modi`s administration is vying to improve electrification among India`s poor rural communities and major metropolises are also demanding more energy. 

Anand Kumar, a senior official at India's renewable energy ministry said in a statement, "By 2030 India plans to establish 500 GW of Renewable Energy capacity," adding, "India would have installed 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022 without taking into account large hydro and 225 GW including large hydro."

India, the world`s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged to cut emissions and have clean energy account for at least 40 percent of its installed capacity by 2030, up from 21.4 percent now, while looking to manage its energy appetite as its population becomes more prosperous.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government changed rules for the awarding of renewable energy projects in 2017, leading to higher competition, lower prices and greater acceptance of renewable energy. But research analysts have been sceptical about India meeting its ambitious targets. 

India`s annual coal demand rose 9.1% to 991.35 million tonnes during the year ended March 2019, Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi told parliament on Monday. A ban on the use of petroleum coke, a dirtier alternative to coal, in some parts of the country, led to a rise in coal imports. (With inputs from Reuters)