India's Renewable Energy Ambition: Navigating Challenges to Achieve Net-Zero by 2070

India aims to install around 7,000 GW of renewable energy to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. However, scaling beyond 1,500 GW faces challenges such as climate risks, high land prices, land conflicts, and population density, as revealed by a study from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).

India needs to install around 7,000 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, according to a new study. However, deploying beyond 1,500 GW could face critical challenges, including climate risks, high land prices, land conflicts, and population density.

The study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is the first to map India's renewable energy and green hydrogen potential using real-world constraints. Currently, India's renewable energy capacity sits at 150 GW, but achieving the 7,000 GW goal presents significant hurdles.

Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW, stated that while India's renewable potential is vast, the journey to net-zero is fraught with challenges like land conflicts and climate change. Beyond 3,000 GW, increased difficulties due to land prices and population density are expected. Additionally, the study finds that a substantial part of the renewable potential lies in high-climate-risk and high-land-price areas.

(With inputs from agencies.)