The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s latest release, “Energy Statistics 2024,” marks the 31st edition of its annual report, shedding light on India’s energy landscape for the fiscal year 2022-23. This comprehensive document is pivotal for stakeholders and policymakers, offering an exhaustive dataset on aspects such as reserves, production, trade, consumption, and energy efficiency, along with prices and capacities. The report plays a crucial role in understanding the dynamics of India’s energy sector, charting both its current state and envisaging its future trajectory.
A standout theme of the report is the focus on sustainability and efficiency within India’s energy sector, emphasizing the country’s ongoing shift towards renewable energy sources. Despite this positive trajectory towards renewable energy, which has seen its share in the Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) and in total electricity generation rise, the report brings to light the prevailing reliance on non-renewable energy sources. It points out the substantial consumption of raw coal and lignite, illustrating the challenges India faces in transitioning to a more sustainable energy model.
Another significant observation from the report is the increase in per capita energy consumption, indicative of the broader access to electricity across the nation. This increase is a positive sign of development, reflecting improvements in living standards and access to basic services.
The document details the potential for renewable energy generation in India, estimating it at a staggering 2,109,654 MW as of March 31, 2023. This potential is distributed across various sources, including solar (35.50%), wind (55.17%), large hydro (6.32%), small-hydro power (1%), biomass power (1.35%), and bagasse-based cogeneration in sugar mills (0.66%). Rajasthan leads the geographic distribution with a 20.3% share of the estimated potential, followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Together, these four states account for over half of India’s renewable power potential.
Highlighting the transition in India’s energy mix, the report notes a significant growth in the installed capacity of renewable energy sources (other than Hydro) at 12.20% over the previous year, compared to a modest 0.49% growth for thermal sources. The total installed capacity of grid-interactive renewable power rose by 13.90% to 1,25,160 MW in the fiscal year 2023. Solar power, including rooftop installations, constituted approximately 53.4% of this capacity, with wind power and bio power & waste to energy also making notable contributions. Specifically, solar power witnessed a remarkable growth rate of 23.68% from the fiscal year 2021-22 to 2022-23.
The report further outlines the success in off-grid/decentralized renewable energy systems, noting a steady growth over time. For instance, the installation of solar street lighting systems saw a growth of 1.1% over the previous year, while solar photovoltaic plants registered a substantial increase of 50.6%.
In conclusion, the “Energy Statistics 2024” report by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation offers vital insights into India’s energy scenario, highlighting the complex interplay between sustainability, efficiency, and the ongoing reliance on non-renewable sources. It underscores the significant strides made towards renewable energy, while also acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead in India’s journey towards a sustainable energy future.
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
