National Energy Policies, Missions and Targets of India

India stands as the third-largest energy consumer in the world. The nation balances economic growth with decarbonization, cleaner power generation, and energy independence. The Ministry of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas direct national policies. Strategic frameworks focus on expanding non-fossil capacity, boosting domestic clean tech manufacturing, and integrating smart grid technology.

Panchamrit Commitments and Net Zero Roadmap

India presented its climate action plan through five major commitments, termed Panchamrit, at the COP26 summit in Glasgow. These pillars form the core of India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions submitted under the Paris Agreement.

• 500 GW Non-Fossil Capacity: Target to reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030.
• 50% Renewable Share: Meeting 50% of total energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030.
• Emissions Reduction: Cutting projected total carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes between 2021 and 2030.
• Emissions Intensity Reduction: Reducing the carbon intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
• Net-Zero Target: Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

Major National Energy Missions

National Solar Mission

Launched in 2010 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, the National Solar Mission originally targeted 20 GW of solar power by 2022. The target was subsequently revised to 100 GW, comprising 60 GW of ground-mounted utility scale and 40 GW of rooftop solar installations.

National Green Hydrogen Mission

Approved in January 2023 with an outlay of 19,744 crore rupees, the mission aims to establish India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, usage, and export.

• Production Target: Developing a green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) per annum by 2030.
• Associated Capacity: Adding about 125 GW of renewable energy capacity dedicated to green hydrogen production.
• Financial Subsidies: The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) program provides financial incentives for electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production.
• Carbon Abatement: Mitigating approximately 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

National Bioenergy Programme

Implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, this program promotes bioenergy deployment through three distinct sub-schemes:

• Waste to Energy Program: Financial support for setting up plants utilizing urban, industrial, and agricultural waste.
• Biomass Programme: Support for setting up briquette and pellet manufacturing units alongside biomass power projects.
• Biogas Programme: Support for family-size and medium-size biogas plants in rural areas.

National Smart Grid Mission

Established in 2015, the National Smart Grid Mission plans and monitors the deployment of smart grid technologies across state discoms. Key focus areas include Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), microgrids, distribution automation, and real-time power monitoring.

Key Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Initiatives

• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: Launched with an outlay of 75,021 crore rupees to supply free electricity up to 300 units per month to 1 crore households via rooftop solar systems.
• PM-KUSUM Scheme: Launched in 2019 to provide water and energy security to farmers by installing solar pumps and setting up grid-connected solar power plants on barren farmlands.
• PM-USHA and Production Linked Incentive (PLI): High-efficiency solar PV module manufacturing receives PLI funding to scale domestic supply chains.
• PAT Scheme (Perform, Achieve, and Trade): A market-based mechanism under the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) managed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). It assigns mandatory energy consumption reduction targets to energy-intensive industrial units called Designated Consumers.
• UJALA Scheme: Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All distributes subsidized energy-efficient LED bulbs to lower peak power demand across households.
• SAMARTH Mission: Mandates thermal power plants to co-fire 5% to 10% agricultural residue pellets alongside coal to curb stubble burning and cut power sector emissions.

National Power Capacity Profile and Key Milestones

Key Facts for Quick Revision

• India ranks third globally in primary energy consumption and renewable energy capacity.
• Article 48A of the Constitution directs the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) operates as a statutory body under the Ministry of Power under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
• The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 empowers the government to establish a domestic Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
• India achieved its original COP21 Paris target of 40% electric capacity from non-fossil sources nine years ahead of the 2030 deadline.
• The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) program serves as the flagship incentive arm under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
• National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) targets developing 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.
• Central Electricity Authority (CEA) functions as the apex technical advisory organization under the Electricity Act, 2003.