Delhi is gearing up to tackle the mounting challenges of climate change, with a strategic plan that emphasizes reduced reliance on external hydropower due to potential vulnerabilities caused by shifting weather patterns. The draft action plan, crafted by the city government, aims to mitigate risks posed by rising temperatures and intensified rainfall. These adversities could significantly impact hydropower generation capacity in Delhi, which presently imports this energy from other states.
Recent data from the Delhi Economic Survey of 2022-23 indicates that about 16.65% of the city’s total electricity consumption in 2021-22 stemmed from locally owned power plants, with the remainder being procured from the central government and neighboring states. To counteract the challenges posed by climate change, the draft plan underscores the importance of diversifying the energy mix, especially by boosting the adoption of renewable solar energy.
Initiatives like the Delhi Solar Policy, initiated in 2016, illustrate the city’s commitment to harnessing cleaner energy sources. This policy strives to establish 2,000 MW of solar power installations by 2025 and mandates the installation of solar panels on government buildings with large rooftops. To promote solar energy adoption in residential settings, incentives were provided for three years.
In terms of infrastructure, the plan recommends enhancing the resilience of new structures against extreme weather conditions and implementing measures such as underground distribution systems to guard against wind, temperature fluctuations, and flooding. Additionally, the plan suggests incorporating advanced cooling systems for substations and transformers.
The draft action plan underscores the urgency of its implementation, projecting potential losses of Rs 2.75 lakh crore by 2050 due to climate change impacts. Heatwaves, higher temperatures, and altered precipitation patterns are highlighted as significant challenges that demand immediate attention.
The plan aligns with India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), introduced in 2008, and emphasizes the need for states to adapt their strategies to evolving climate action and policy landscapes. By drawing insights from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report (IPCC AR6), the plan provides projections that show alarming temperature increases by mid-century, calling for robust and immediate action to steer Delhi toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
