NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

by Jamshyd N Godrej , Fatih Birol

Energy transitions are gaining momentum worldwide, and India is no exception. The country has achieved the remarkable double leapfrog of connecting nearly all households to electricity while also creating one of the world’s largest markets for renewable energy. But ensuring that the opportunities of India’s transition are shared fairly throughout society — and workers and communities are not left to face the challenges alone — is not an easy task, given the country’s population and diversity. To achieve the trifecta of jobs, growth and sustainability, India must strive to put people at the centre of its energy transformation.

With an ever-growing list of countries announcing net-zero emissions targets, the global energy system is set to undergo a transformation in the coming decades. According to an IEA analysis, 90 per cent of new electricity generation capacity around the world now comes from renewables.

In India, that energy transformation is well underway. It is among the world’s top five countries in terms of renewable power capacity. Its ambitious target to increase India’s renewable energy capacity to 450 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 would help move it closer to achieving the country’s broader climate goals. By then, low-carbon energy sources could account for more than 60 per cent of India’s total power capacity, well above what it originally committed to under the Paris Agreement. India is also showing global clean energy leadership through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, which has more than 70 member countries.

Photo courtesy of Lukas Bato.