Shakti’s Annual Work Planning Workshop: Clean Power Programme Identifying Barriers and Shaping the Future for High RE Pathways

The Clean Power team of Shakti organised its fifth session as part of the Annual Work Planning Workshop on ‘Identifying Barriers and Shaping the Future for High Renewable Energy (RE) Pathways’ at Ambassador Hotel, New Delhi, on February 6, 2024. The session witnessed the presence of representatives from various sectors including CSO partner organisations, academia, industry experts, and consulting partners. The workshop served as a platform for a crucial conversation on High RE pathways in India.

Discussions ranged from utility-scale projects to rooftop solar initiatives, each contributing to the overarching goal of a sustainable energy ecosystem. Experienced representatives shared valuable insights, explored innovative solutions, and navigated through the challenges and opportunities in utility-scale and rooftop solar sectors. The latter half of the workshop focused on storage applications for higher RE integration, exploring innovative approaches and policy frameworks for adoption.

Against the backdrop of India’s commitment to renewable energy and ambitious targets, the workshop played a significant role in fostering dialogue. Participants discussed India’s emergence as a global leader in renewable energy, aligning with the nation’s goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070. Solar power took centre stage, reflecting global trends and the growing recognition of clean energy sources.

While celebrating the progress of utility-scale solar, the workshop acknowledged persistent challenges. Land acquisition issues, grid infrastructure limitations, and policy uncertainties were highlighted as areas requiring continuous attention. Rooftop Solar (RTS) also took prominence, with discussions focusing on the challenges associated with high initial investment, land availability, grid integration, policy uncertainties, intermittent nature of solar energy, business models, transmission and distribution losses, technology updates, and financing competitiveness.

The consultation aimed to cultivate an informed and productive discussion forum, connecting prominent faces from the renewable energy ecosystem. Key challenges, such as land acquisition, grid integration, policy stability, intermittent energy generation, business models, and financing, were highlighted. The aim of the workshop was to pave the way for transformative changes in the renewable energy sector, fostering collaboration and networking among experts to propel India towards a sustainable and cleaner energy future.