Clean Energy Transition: India’s Path Towards Sustainable Growth
Why in News
During interactions with Indian policymakers and industry leaders, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary highlighted that India’s strategy of promoting decarbonisation and electrification offers a practical model for balancing climate action with economic development.
Key Highlights
- India is accelerating its transition towards a low-carbon economy through greater adoption of renewable energy, widespread electrification and modernisation of the power sector.
- Strengthening transmission networks, expanding grid capacity and deploying Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are essential for integrating renewable energy into the power system.
- Mobilising adequate climate finance remains a major challenge for developing countries, requiring enhanced public and private investment for climate mitigation and adaptation.
- The clean energy transition contributes to India’s long-term objectives of improving energy security, reducing carbon intensity and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.
Key Concepts
- Energy Transition: Gradual shift from fossil fuel-based energy systems to cleaner, low-carbon and renewable energy sources.
- Decarbonisation: Process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing carbon-intensive fuels with cleaner alternatives.
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Technologies that store electricity and help balance fluctuations in renewable energy generation.
- Climate Finance: Financial resources mobilised to support climate mitigation and adaptation under the UNFCCC framework.
- Net Zero 2070: India’s commitment to balance greenhouse gas emissions with carbon removal by the year 2070.
Way Forward
India should accelerate investments in renewable energy, energy storage technologies and resilient power infrastructure while strengthening domestic manufacturing, expanding climate finance and fostering international cooperation to ensure an affordable, inclusive and sustainable energy transition.