Renewables Growth Must Focus on Intra-State Transmission

Sumant Sinha, chief executive, ReNew, tells Nandini Keshari that skilled workers in emerging technologies are essential for the clean-energy transition. Edited excerpts

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What has been ReNew's growth path and its role in India's transition to clean energy?

ReNew has a portfolio of approximately 24,000MW, accounting for both capacity in operation and in the pipeline. We have approximately 6,000MW of operational solar energy projects.

The company recently completed one of India's largest solar power projects at a single site, in Jaisalmer.

What are the challenges in executing large-scale solar projects?

Executing any large-scale infrastructure project is always a challenge anywhere in the world. Having said that, executing solar-power projects in India is much simpler compared to alternatives like wind-power projects.

The main operational challenge over the last few years has been that of imported equipment due to disrupted supply chains during Covid. But the situation has vastly improved, including through the policy push by the government to domestic equipment manufacturing.

What are the challenges ReNew faces in acquiring land?

Typically, a large-scale utility project requires approximately 3 acres per MW. Thus, a 300MW project needs roughly over 900 acres.

Acquiring such a large, contiguous land parcel, especially near grid substations, is a significant hurdle. Discontinuous land parcels increase site infrastructure costs as well as operational expenses.

Land procurement is increasingly becoming more challenging due to the sector's rapid growth and the concentration of renewable energy potential in specific regions.