Himachal Pradesh, known for its abundant natural resources, has achieved a
significant milestone in its journey toward sustainable energy development. At
the prestigious 4th Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo
(RE-INVEST 2024) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh was awarded
the ‘Highest Achiever State in Overall Hydropower Capacity’
recognition. This accolade not only reflects the state’s commitment to
renewable energy but also highlights its efforts to transition toward a green
energy future.

The Award and Its
Significance

Himachal Pradesh’s achievement was acknowledged at RE-INVEST 2024,
a global platform organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
(MNRE), Government of India, to promote investment and collaboration in the
renewable energy sector. This prestigious event, attended by dignitaries and
industry leaders, explored emerging trends and policies shaping the global
renewable energy landscape, with a focus on achieving the UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7
(affordable and clean energy) and SDG 13 (climate action).

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sunder Thakur and MLA
Neeraj Nayyar accepted the award on behalf of the Himachal Pradesh
government from Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad
Joshi. This recognition underlines the state’s leadership in
harnessing hydropower, reinforcing its role as a major player in India’s green
energy revolution.

Himachal Pradesh’s
Hydropower Journey

Himachal Pradesh is naturally endowed with vast hydropower potential due to
its mountainous terrain and perennial rivers. Over the years, the state has
focused on tapping this potential, making significant contributions to India’s
overall renewable energy capacity. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu,
Himachal Pradesh has set an ambitious target to become a ‘green energy
state’ by March 31, 2026.

Chief Minister Sukhu highlighted the state’s focus on combining hydropower
with other renewable energy sources. Recent developments include the 32
MW Pekhubela solar power plant, operationalized in record time, and
upcoming solar projects in Kutlehar (10 MW) and Bhanjal
(5 MW). These initiatives align with the state’s goal of reducing
carbon emissions and shifting from fossil fuels to cleaner energy.

Why This Recognition
Matters

This recognition comes at a time when India is aggressively
pushing toward achieving its renewable energy goals. While solar and wind
energy have gained significant attention, hydropower remains a crucial pillar
in India’s energy mix. Himachal Pradesh’s leadership in hydropower
serves as a model for other states and countries, showcasing the importance of
state-level efforts in meeting national energy targets.

During RE-INVEST 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
emphasized the tremendous growth of India’s renewable energy sector,
highlighting that the country’s solar energy capacity has
increased by 30 times over the past nine years, reaching 89.43 GW as of
August 2024. Himachal Pradesh’s hydropower achievements further
bolster the nation’s green energy movement, showing that balanced development
across multiple renewable energy sources is essential.

Government Initiatives
and Future Plans

Himachal Pradesh is committed to green energy initiatives that integrate
hydropower, solar, and other renewable sources, while also promoting electric
vehicles (EVs) and green industries. The state is
gradually phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles in government departments and
focusing on industries that follow sustainable practices.

Some of the state’s key initiatives include:

1. Hydropower Expansion:
   Accelerating the development of untapped hydropower potential.
2. Solar Energy Projects: New solar
   power projects like Pekhubela, Kutlehar,
   and Bhanjal are diversifying the state’s energy mix.
3. Electric Mobility: The
   promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) and investment in EV infrastructure
   aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
4. Green Industries: Encouraging
   industries that adopt eco-friendly practices to further strengthen the
   state’s environmental credentials.

RE-INVEST 2024 and India’s Renewable Energy
Pathway

RE-INVEST 2024, a premier global platform, highlighted India’s remarkable strides in
renewable energy and laid out an ambitious roadmap for future growth. Over the
past decade, India has witnessed significant progress, increasing its installed
renewable energy capacity from 75.52 GW in March 2014 to over 207.7
GW by 2024. This growth aligns with India’s goal of achieving net-zero
carbon emissions by 2070, with hydropower, solar, and wind energy
playing key roles in the transition.

Several groundbreaking policy announcements
were made at the event, reflecting India’s firm commitment to advancing green
energy initiatives:

• Bio E3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment)
  Policy: This policy aims to promote
  bio-manufacturing, foster innovation, and create sustainable employment
  opportunities.
• Offshore Wind Energy Viability Gap Funding: A ₹7,000 crore initiative to support infrastructure for offshore
  wind energy projects.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission: With
  a target to produce 5 MMT of green hydrogen annually by 2030, this mission
  is supported by an ambitious 125 GW of renewable energy.
• FDI in Renewable Energy: Up to
  100% foreign direct investment (FDI) is allowed in renewable energy
  projects, boosting international investment in India’s clean energy
  sector.
• Research Fund for Electric Mobility and Bio-Manufacturing: The government has allocated ₹1 trillion to advance research and
  innovation in electric mobility and bio-manufacturing.
• Paris Agreement Milestone: India
  became the first G-20 country to meet its climate commitments from the
  Paris Agreement, achieving this milestone nine years ahead of schedule.

India’s
Renewable Energy Achievements and Vision

India’s renewable energy sector has
experienced significant growth, driven by technological innovations, government
support, and global investments. Key achievements and initiatives include:

• Solar Energy Revolution: Solar
  tariffs have decreased by 76%, making clean energy more affordable. The
  Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar PV manufacturing
  further boosts domestic production while reducing dependence on imports.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission: This
  initiative aims to position India as a leader in green hydrogen
  production, accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
• Wind-Solar Hybrid Systems: The
  national hybrid policy encourages the integration of wind and solar
  energy, maximizing efficiency by optimizing land and transmission
  infrastructure.

Support
from Industry Stakeholders

India’s renewable energy expansion is
supported by major manufacturers and developers:

• Manufacturing Capacity Expansion:
  Industry leaders have pledged to add 340 GW in solar modules, 240 GW in
  solar cells, 22 GW in wind turbines, and 10 GW in electrolysers, ensuring
  robust growth in clean energy capacity.
• Additional Commitments: Other
  stakeholders are targeting a further 570 GW of renewable energy capacity,
  reinforcing India’s position as a green energy powerhouse.

Key Growth
Drivers and Government Initiatives

India’s renewable energy surge is propelled by
a combination of government initiatives and global collaborations:

• Carbon Emissions Reduction: The
  government aims to cut projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by
  2030 and reduce the carbon intensity of the economy by 45%.
• Solar Cities and Parks: The
  government has approved the establishment of one solar city per state,
  along with 57 solar parks with a combined capacity of 39.28 GW.
• Offshore Wind Power: India
  is pushing forward with offshore wind energy, setting a target of 30 GW by
  2030.
• FDI and Investment:
  Policies like 100% FDI allowance in renewable energy projects continue to
  attract significant foreign investment, enhancing India’s clean energy
  capabilities.

The Road Ahead for
Himachal Pradesh

As the state works toward becoming a green energy state by 2026,
it is setting an example for other regions to follow. With a focus on
hydropower, solar energy, and electric mobility, Himachal Pradesh is at the
forefront of India’s renewable energy revolution.

The state’s commitment to clean energy will not only contribute to India’s
climate goals but also drive economic growth and improve the quality
of life for its residents. In the years to come, Himachal Pradesh’s efforts in
the renewable energy sector will play a key role in the global fight against
climate change.

By leading the way in renewable energy, Himachal Pradesh demonstrates the
potential of state-level initiatives in achieving national and international
climate targets. The state’s comprehensive approach, combining hydropower,
solar, and green industries, makes it a model for sustainable energy
development.