An Exploratory Study of Renewable Power Sector in India

Abstract

Indian power generation sector has increased by 40% from 199 GW in FY12 to over 327 GW in FY17 to become the fifth largest power generation sector globally. India's power transmission network has also grown in sync with the generation sector to enable the evacuation of additional power produced. Renewable power has played a pivoted role in this expansion with its increased contribution in the overall generation mix from 24.5 GW in FY12 to over 57.3 GW in FY17. This paper discusses several drivers such as government's renewable power targets, Central and state-level incentives, declining technology costs and facilitating sale of renewable power along with others that continue to outpace the barriers prevalent around poor financial condition of State Electricity Boards, challenges in renewable integration, concerns regarding sustainability of low renewable power tariffs and non-enforcement of renewable purchase obligations. The paper also an outlook of the overall renewable as well as solar and wind technology space.