LEADING BY EXAMPLE

The World Economic Forum has lauded India’s pragmatic approach in clean energy. It feels the country will become an important hub for clean hydrogen in the future

- RICHA SHARMA

"THE WORLD'S ENERGY future hinges on India’s energy future,” said US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm recently.

Echoing her words, Maciej Kolaczkowski, Manager, Advanced Energy Solutions Industry of World Economic Forum (WEF) says India has taken a very pragmatic approach by balancing investments both in clean energy solutions and fossil-based power to meet its energy needs.

Kolaczkowski, who, on a trip to India in Spetember-end, met domestic industry players in advanced energy solutions, says the country has set bold goals, focussing on clean hydrogen, energy storage, carbon capture, and green aviation fuel. “By 2030, the country plans to pour more than $35 billion each year into these energy projects (not counting solar or wind). India needs to invest $9-10 billion annually just for battery storage. At the same time, there are these very pragmatic approaches, where India invests in fossil-based generation (80GW coal-fuelled power by 2031-32) to meet its ever-growing energy needs, when there is not enough wind and sun,” he says.

Aditya Lolla, Asia Programme Director at independent energy think tank Ember believes India’s clean energy transition is being driven around solar power. However, other technologies like green hydrogen or carbon capture may also be crucial but they need to achieve commercial viability first. “A multi-faceted approach with short-term, mediumterm, and long-term planning and policymaking is necessary for India to manage the transition in the coming decades,” Lolla says.