A report on “Renewables Integration in India 2021” was jointly launched by NITI Aayog & IEA on 22nd July, 2021.
- The report is based on the outcome of three states workshops held with the Governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat to understand the specific energy transition challenges faced by these renewable-rich states.
- The report uses IEA modelling results to show the effects of different flexibility options on the power system.
- The report highlights that India’s power system can efficiently integrate renewables (175 GW by 2022 and 450 GW by 2030), but it would require identification of resources and proper planning, regulatory, policy and institutional support, energy storage and advance technology initiatives.
- Indian states need to employ a wide range of flexibility options – such as demand response, more flexible operation of coal based power plants, storage, and grid improvements – to transition to cleaner electricity systems, says the report.
- The report further says that larger shares of renewables can be better managed by shifting time of use in agriculture.
- Time of Use (ToU) tariffs will be an effective tool to incentivise demand side management and encourage flexible consumption.
