Costs, resources distribution hamper India renewable energy growth

Only 19,973 MW of the renewable energy potential of around 200,000 MW has been tapped in India, thus far.

The majority of this tapped potential is in the form of Wind Power, with 14,157 MW of installed capacity in the country, out of the total potential of 45,000 MW. On the other hand, Solar Energy, with a huge potential of over 100,000 MW, has an installed capacity of only 38 MW. The total renewable installed capacity makes up only 11% of the total installed capacity in the country and contributes about 4% towards total electricity generation.

This is based on the presentation of the National Load Despatch Centre on the renewable energy certificate mechanism in the country.

High capital costs, leading to expensive generated electricity, along with the uneven distribution of renewable sources across the country, have made it difficult to tap the large potential in the renewable energy sector. There is hardly any wind power potential in the country's heartland, which has the maximum energy demand, with the potential scattered mostly in the western and southern regions of the country. Further, the state of Rajasthan has the maximum solar energy potential of 39,623 MW, whereas states such as Orissa and Madhya Pradesh, have only 304 MW and 87 MW, respectively, of the country's solar potential.

At present, there are 60 accredited RE generators, of 373.55 MW capacity, in states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Haryana, etc. and 28 registered RE generators, of 206.25 MW capacity. While 5,035 RECs have been issued, thus far, 684 RECs have now been redeemed.