Southern India can Lead India's pursuit of 500GW renewable target by 2030: Experts and industry players
renewable energy experts and industry players say. Collaborative efforts among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and civil society can accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions, paving the way for a cleaner and greener future. India's ambitious 'India Battery Manufacturing Vision' aims to achieve over 500 GWh capacity by 2035, attracting $35 billion in investments, they said.
A report by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) highlighted that the southern states, namely Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, boast significant solar and wind energy potentials, collectively totaling 1,526 GW of solar energy potential and 1,124 GW of wind energy potential.
However, achieving this potential requires substantial investments in strengthening the intra-region transmission infrastructure. The report suggests an investment of approximately Rs 9,245 crore by 2030, in addition to the ongoing transmission network strengthening initiatives by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
«Despite several initiatives by the government, the low penetration of rooftop solar systems, especially in the domestic sector, remains a concern. Out of the total 72 gigawatts of solar energy capacity in India, only 11 gigawatts are from rooftop solar installations, with a mere 2.7 gigawatts attributed to the domestic sector. Installing 3-kilowatt rooftop solar systems in 25 crore households across India could add 6.3 gigawatts to the grid, a significant contribution to achieving 500 GW by
