This archive report was first published on 21 October 2019.
India's government has announced plans to construct large-scale solar and wind farms along its border with Pakistan, as part of its efforts to reduce its reliance on oil and coal.
According to Anand Kumar, the new and renewable energy secretary, the government has identified projects worth 30 gigawatts in Gujarat and 25 gigawatts in Rajasthan, with a focus on barren desert areas to avoid using agricultural land.
These regions are ideally suited for renewable energy facilities due to their sunny and windy conditions, Kumar said, adding that work on the projects would begin approximately 18 months after approval from the defence ministry and following land feasibility studies.
India currently harnesses 23 percent of its total power from renewable sources, including solar and wind, and aims to reach 175 gigawatts in three years' time, as pledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
However, private investment in the renewable sector remains low, and the government has faced challenges in securing land for projects, with some experts suggesting that renewable energy projects are not feasible in agricultural or forest lands.
Despite these challenges, India's renewable energy push continues, with the government aiming to reduce its carbon footprint and adhere to its promises made at the 2015 Paris agreement.
Published on October 21, 2019.
