Energy Critical Elements and India's Just Energy Transition

This article, contributed by Arpita Victor, examines the reliance of renewable energy technologies on the extraction and processing of energy critical elements (ECEs) and emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the energy transition is truly fair and equitable for all stakeholders impacted along the ECE value chain.

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The energy transition in India is critical for meeting its climate goals, particularly its commitments under the Paris Agreement. A shift to renewable energy could decarbonize the power sector by 90%, underscoring its centrality to meaningful climate action. In line with its climate commitments, India has pledged to achieve 50% of its installed power capacity from non-fossil sources and reduce the emissions intensity of its gross domestic product (GDP) by 45% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. In under a decade, India’s installed renewable energy (RE) capacity has surged by over 400%, achieving targets ahead of schedule. This remarkable growth has been fueled by technological advancements, favourable government policies, and robust private sector competition, which have collectively driven down the costs of RE, making it more affordable than traditional coal power.

However, a shift away from coal does not coincide with a shift away from extractives—'clean’ renewable technology requires a more complex blend of minerals to enable the exploitation of nature's forces to produce energy. These are referred to as energy critical elements (ECEs) and are essential for manufacturing technologies like wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicle batteries, making it imperative to adopt ethical and sustainable mining practices in regions rich in these resources. Given these minerals are more diffuse in nature and harder to extract and process, integrating circular economy principles, such as recycling ECEs and fostering research on viable alternatives, can further strengthen a resilient and sustainable green transition. This article examines the reliance of renewable energy technologies on the extraction and processing of ECEs and emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the energy transition is truly fair and equitable for all stakeholders impacted along the ECE value chain.