Key Points
However, reaching the 7,000 GW required to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 will demand a comprehensive approach to addressing challenges such as land access, climate risks, land conflicts, and population density, according to a study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a think tank...
While managing constraints up to 1,500 GW is relatively feasible, the study, titled Unlocking Indias RE and Green Hydrogen Potential: An Assessment of Land, Water, and Climate Nexus, highlights that deployment beyond 1,500 GW could face significant challenges as multiple constraints intensify, narrowing the pathway to the net-zero target...
The study maps Indias RE and green hydrogen potential by analyzing the entire countrys landmass and applying real-world constraints using detailed 5x5 km grid cells..
It finds that population density significantly limits the realization of Indias RE potential, with only 29% of onshore wind potential and 27% of solar potential located in areas with a population density lower than 250 people/km...
The study highlights that Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, with high RE potential backed by land banks and infrastructure to evacuate renewable power and manage seasonality, could emerge as key players in meeting Indias renewable energy ambitions in the coming decades...
