BE THE GREEN CHAMPION

India's success in building up its renewable energy base and the successful dissemination of this knowledge to other countries will help it consolidate its position as a global leader in the sector

- AJAY MATHUR

In 2023, India added 17,960 MW of electricity capacity; 72.3 per cent of it was renewable energy. Today, in India (as in most other geographies), solar electricity is the cheapest form of electricity available-though only when the sun is shining. This highlights the essential conundrum about solar and wind energy, especially in developing countries where the energy demand is still increasing both during the daytime and night hours.

Consequently, as we plan ahead, the key question is whether we add renewable energy capacity alone (thus depriving people of electricity at night) or add both solar capacity and fossil fuel-based capacity for the times when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing (thus increasing the cost of electricity for all)? In the developed countries, by contrast, no additional electricity capacity needs to be added; and solar and wind energy are backed by existing power capacity when solar and wind energy are not available.