In a monumental stride towards sustainable energy, India announces the development of Khavda, the world’s largest renewable energy park, nestled within the expansive Rann of Kutch region in Gujarat. Spanning a staggering 726 square kilometres, this colossal project combines solar and wind energy to generate an estimated 30 gigawatts of clean power, equivalent to powering approximately 18 million homes.
With an estimated cost of $2.26 billion, the project is spearheaded by the Adani Group, alongside collaborators such as Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) and National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC).
The Khavda Renewable Energy Park rivals the size of Singapore and marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards sustainable development. Its construction involves the meticulous installation of solar panels, wind turbines, substations, and extensive wiring. Once operational, the park will play a pivotal role in bolstering India’s renewable energy capacity, contributing significantly to the nation’s ambitious goal of achieving 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
This ambitious endeavour underscores India’s unwavering commitment to renewable energy and aligns with global efforts to combat climate change. With its vast potential to harness clean energy from the sun and wind, the Khavda Renewable Energy Park stands as a beacon of hope for a greener, more sustainable future. Its impact extends beyond borders, inspiring nations worldwide to embrace renewable energy and pave the way towards a cleaner, brighter tomorrow.
India is the third-largest consumer of energy in the world, after China and the United States, accounting for about six percent of the global primary energy consumption[2]. In 2021, India’s energy consumption was twice the average of the 2010-2019 period, with a significant increase in coal and lignite usage.
The country’s peak demand for electricity reached a record high of 223 gigawatts (GW) in June 2023, representing a rise of 3.4% from the highest level in 2022. The Indian power sector relies on a diverse range of fuel sources, including traditional sources like coal, oil, and gas, as well as environmentally sustainable sources such as solar, wind, biomass, industrial waste, and both large and small hydro plants.
India has achieved an installed capacity of over 400 GW, with fossil fuels dominating the power sector. However, the country has ambitious goals to significantly increase the share of renewable and nuclear energy. As of May 2023, India’s installed renewable energy capacity reached 179 GW, with solar and wind comprising 67 GW and 43 GW, respectively. The Government of India aims to reach 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, fulfil 50% of its energy requirements through renewable energy by 2030, reduce total projected carbon emissions by one billion tons from now to 2030, reduce the carbon intensity of the economy by 45% by 2030 over 2005 levels, and achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
Coal remains the largest source of energy supply in India, accounting for 44.6% of the energy mix, followed by oil at 23.7%, natural gas at 5.8%, nuclear at 1.3%, and hydro at 1.5%. Energy efficiency improvements have enabled the avoidance of an additional 15% of energy demand and 300 MtCO2 emissions over the period 2000-2018. The Government of India is focusing on providing secure, affordable, and sustainable energy while achieving its ambitious renewable energy targets and reducing local air pollution.
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