Gujarat and Karnataka are leaders in the transition to renewable energy sources

According to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) report Indian States' Electricity Transition (SET), Karnataka and Gujarat have emerged as leaders in the transition to renewable energy. This was reported by ANI, a partner of TV BRICS.

Transforming the fossil fuel-based energy system into a sustainable and decarbonised system is a major challenge for mankind.

Experts note Gujarat and Karnataka's strong performance in terms of decarbonisation – the process of reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere – and successful integration of renewable energy into the power sector.

The study assesses the readiness of sub-national entities to transition to clean electricity. Five more states have been included in the study for 2024, bringing the total to 21 states, which accounted for about 95 per cent of India's annual electricity demand in the last seven fiscal years (2018-2024 (till November)). This year, based on stakeholder feedback and data availability, the parameters of the assessment have been revised to more accurately reflect the states' progress in electricity transition.

Experts assess the readiness of sub-national entities to transition to clean electricity. Five more states have been included in the study for 2024, bringing the total number to 21 states that have accounted for about 95 per cent of India's annual electricity demand over the last seven financial years (2018-2024 (till November)). This year, based on stakeholder feedback and data availability, the parameters of the assessment have been revised to more accurately reflect states' progress in the electricity transition.

Experts believe that progress in many states in India is certain to improve, as it did last year. While these states are just beginning their transformation, they should now focus on increasing renewable energy use, increasing participation in the short-term market, and strengthening their distribution companies.

India's peak electricity demand rises annually as a result of cyclical weather patterns and rapid economic growth. States should be ready for this even as the federal government works to include more renewable energy sources into the energy grid. It is now necessary to continuously monitor a number of criteria at the state level in order to evaluate development at the subnational level.

Statistics shows that although the country as a whole is making good progress towards switching to electricity, state-by-state progress has been considerably more erratic.

To incorporate additional renewable energy sources into their power systems, several states have created progressive measures including encouraging the decentralised use of renewable energy sources, supporting solar pumps for agricultural purposes, and enhancing energy storage options. However, the switch to sustainable energy is still very early on.

Aditya Lolla, Asia Programme Director, believe that many states should aim to accelerate efforts to gain access to the benefits of a clean electricity transition and ensure that they do not lag too far behind more efficient states. The willingness of some states to convert to electricity was one of the report's main conclusions. Although they still need to be improved, they are making progress in terms of market procedures, preparation for the energy ecology, and efficiency.

The study also urges a change in focus from federal to state-level research to properly comprehend the subtleties of India's electrical transformation.

The decarbonisation of each state's energy system presents different obstacles that call for the implementation of particular legislative solutions. You can gain a better understanding of the state-specific issues and possible intervention actions by monitoring the decarbonisation process, evaluating the energy system's preparedness for the shift, and keeping an eye on the evolution of market forces, citing one of the report's co-authors.

India presently has the least expensive sources of bulk electricity generation in the country, thanks to its world-class solar and second-cheapest onshore wind energy. Considering how inconsistently these resources can produce energy, it is essential to invest in storage technology like batteries to guarantee that demand for energy is always met. Luckily, in the next ten years, the cost of battery storage in conjunction with solar and wind power is predicted to be less than that of coal, which would further strengthen India's affordable clean energy growth case.

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