The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has set a target to enhance the sustainability of the global energy mix by 2030. In response, India and other Asian nations have been responsible for advancing sustainable development. By drawing a comparative analysis, explore India’s position and achievements in the field of renewable energy in comparison to its Asian peers.
As of 2022, India’s total energy consumption is 0.7 to half the Asian average. Coal will dominate the country’s energy mix with a 46% share, followed by oil (23%) and biomass (21%). Natural gas accounts for 6% and primary electricity (hydro, nuclear, solar, and wind) for 4% each. In addition, India is the world’s third-largest importer of crude oil, and the majority of the proportion is used for transportation and industry. Then natural gas consumption increased by 2.7%, and more than fifty percent was used by the fertilizer industry. Coal and lignite consumption also reach 1.1 Gt. As per 2021 reporting, due to population growth, electricity consumption also increase by 8%.
India’s third largest producer of renewal energy, with 40% of the installed electricity capacity, is made up of non-fossil fuels. An important turning point in the global fight to tackle climate change has been reached with India’s announcement that it plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and to meet 50% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030. Renewable energy sources installed capacity: Solar 48.55 GW, Wind 40.03 GW, Small Hydro 4.83 GW, Large Hydro 46.51 GW, Biopower 10.62 GW, and Nuclear 6.78 GW.
The government of India takes various kinds of initiatives to promote renewable energy technology. Since 2009 the cost of solar Pannel has declined by 80%. As a result, Solar microgrids and standalone systems have been deployed to bring electricity to rural communities that were previously underserved by the traditional power grid, and the solar industry has attracted investments in the renewal energy sector.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan Yojana (PM Kusum) is one of the initiatives for renewable energy. The primary goal of this program is to provide financial assistance to farmers so they can install solar irrigation pumps. Through this program, the target is to add an additional 30,800 solar pumps by 2022, with a total central financial contribution of Rs. 344,422, including service fees for the implementing agencies.
This plan is made up of three different parts. Component A: The installation of up to MW-capacity tiny solar plants to achieve a solar capacity of 10,000 MW. Component B: Installation of a 20-lakh standalone solar-powered agriculture pump. Component C: Solarization of a grid-connected agriculture pump is. The government set a deadline of March 2026 to achieve all the components.
AS par data Component A not able to achieve the expectation, Total sanctioned Solar Capacity (MW) 4716 and Total installed capacity (MW) 113.08. Expert printout for some reason
1. Complex procedure 2. The number of stakeholders 3. Land acquisition 4. Lack of knowledge 5. Funding constraints. In the context of Component B total number of Sanctioned Standalone Pumps is 947991, and the total number of installed standalone pumps is 244373.
It is a centrally sponsored scheme state government has to bear 30%, and the remaining 40% has to contribute from the farmer’s end. From farmers’ point of view, the unstable power supply and the increasing dependence on diesel, along with its rising prices, compel them to choose this course of action. More or less, Component B is going well.
In this scenario, Component C is facing challenges as the majority of state-released tenders did not receive a favorable response. This is primarily due to unprofitable tariffs and the absence of subsidies under the pump part in this component. According to the latest data released by the Government of India, the number of Total Sanctioned individual solar pumps is 121930, the Total installed individual solar pumps are 1519, the Total Sustained Federal level solar (FLS) is 2205279, and none of the FLS installations have been completed. COVID-19 has also affected the implementation of the PM KUSUM Project. In this context, it can be said that among the three components, Component B is comparatively more successful.
Examining Renewable Energy Progress in Various Asian Nations
As the world pivots towards sustainable energy solutions, a closer look at the renewable energy sector in different Asian countries reveals a diverse landscape of progress.
Bangladesh: According to the world bank Bangladesh is among the top six global economies. USAID (United States Agency for International Development) launched SURE (Scaling Up Renewable Energy) between 2019 and 2021 to help Bangladesh’s power economics grow and mitigate climate change. Bangladesh’s current clean energy consumption is only 3.5%. Bangladesh set the target to reach 40% energy transition by 2041.
Indonesia: Another Asia Country, Indonesia, has a huge number of natural resources but a current level of renewal energy mix of 10% and a set target of 23% renewal energy mix by 2025. Renewal Energy regulation and power transmission infrastructure are the main barriers to the growth of the renewal energy sector in Indonesia.
China: China is one of the world leaders in electricity production from renewable energy sources. In addition, China has the largest installed capacity for hydro, solar, and wind power. Such as China’s solar capacity is now 228 GW more than the rest of the world, according to Global Energy Monitor, and its wind capacity at a massive 310 GW, moreover leads the world, but China is also one of the biggest polluters and more than half of the all-coal world consumed over the past decade consumed by China.
Malaysia: Malaysia for energy generation mostly relay traditional sources, but as a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties, Malaysia has vowed to lower its GDP intensity of greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45 percent by 2030 by implementing clean, sustainable, and renewable energy (RE) and set target increase renewables to the 20 generation mix by 2025. The government has also pledged to increase RE capacity to 70% by 2050, keeping with the national climate goal of reaching net zero GHG emissions by 2050.
In the pursuit of sustainable development and combatting climate change, Asian countries have taken varied approaches to renewable energy adoption. India, despite being the third-largest renewable energy producer, faces challenges in achieving its renewable energy targets. The country’s transition is marked by a mixture of energy sources, with coal still dominating the energy mix. However, India has made significant strides, committing to net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and aiming for 50% renewable electricity by 2030.
Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan Yojana (PM KUSUM) have shown promise, though challenges like complex procedures and funding constraints hinder some components. Bangladesh stands out with its goal to transition to 40% clean energy by 2041, assisted by international programs like SURE. Indonesia faces regulatory and infrastructure hurdles, aiming to boost its renewable energy mix from 10% to 23% by 2025.
China, while leading in renewable energy capacity, also grapples with pollution issues due to its coal consumption. Malaysia has pledged to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45% by 2030 and increase renewable energy generation to 20% by 2025, moving towards net zero emissions by 2050.
In conclusion, the Asian region showcases a diverse spectrum of renewable energy progress and challenges. India’s efforts reflect a significant commitment, albeit with obstacles to overcome. Bangladesh’s ambitious targets and collaborations highlight the dedication to cleaner energy. Indonesia seeks to overcome barriers to renewable integration. China stands as a major renewable energy leader but struggles with emissions due to coal consumption. Malaysia is focused on both short-term emissions reduction and long-term sustainability. Collectively, these countries demonstrate the complexity of transitioning to renewable energy and underline the importance of continued global cooperation to achieve a sustainable future.
