New Delhi: In the dynamic landscape of India’s energy sector, the Narendra Modi-led government has implemented several transformative initiatives over the past five years, aiming to propel the nation towards a sustainable and self-reliant future. These initiatives span across renewable energy promotion, biofuel adoption, waste-to-wealth management, and green hydrogen exploration, among others. However, as India navigates through this energy transition, the effectiveness and challenges of these policies become increasingly pertinent. Let’s delve into an in-depth analysis of the top five energy sector schemes introduced by the Modi government, unraveling their impact, successes, and stumbling blocks.1. National Solar Mission
Underpinning India’s commitment to harnessing solar power, the National Solar Mission has witnessed unprecedented growth under the Modi government’s stewardship. As of 2024, India’s solar energy installed capacity has soared by over 20 times within a decade, marking a significant milestone in the country’s renewable energy journey. With initiatives like the Solar Rooftop Panels mission targeting one crore households, India is edging closer to its renewable energy targets. However, challenges such as grid integration and land availability persist, necessitating strategic interventions for sustained progress.
2. Ethanol Blending Programme
The Ethanol Blending Programme has emerged as a cornerstone of the Modi government’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote biofuel adoption. With a commendable rise in ethanol blending from 1.5 percent in 2014 to 12 percent in 2023, India is making strides towards achieving its 20 percent blending target by 2025. This initiative not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also enhances energy security by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Despite its success, logistical challenges in ethanol procurement and distribution pose hurdles to seamless implementation, requiring streamlined policies and infrastructure enhancement.
3. Compressed Biogas Plants
Emphasizing the ethos of waste-to-wealth, the Modi government’s initiative to establish 5,000 Compressed Biogas Plants holds promise for sustainable energy production and waste management. However, the journey towards realizing this potential has been fraught with challenges such as land acquisition hurdles and technological constraints. As per the data, till now around 100 bio gas plants have been across the country. As India grapples with the complexities of scaling up biogas infrastructure, collaborative efforts between the government, private sector, and local communities become imperative to surmount these obstacles and unlock the full potential of biogas as a clean energy source.
4. Rooftop Solarisation Scheme
The Rooftop Solarisation Scheme envisages empowering households with clean and renewable energy through the installation of solar panels, thereby fostering energy self-reliance and reducing carbon footprint. However, the pace of implementation has been slower than anticipated, hindered by financing constraints, administrative bottlenecks, and consumer awareness challenges. As India endeavors to accelerate rooftop solar adoption, robust policy frameworks, innovative financing mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives are indispensable to bridge the implementation gap and amplify the scheme’s impact.
5. Green Hydrogen Mission
The Modi government’s foray into the realm of green hydrogen underscores India’s commitment to pioneering sustainable energy solutions on the global stage. While the National Green Hydrogen Mission holds immense potential to revolutionize India’s energy landscape and drive economic growth, it faces formidable challenges such as high production costs and nascent technology maturity. As India navigates the nascent stages of green hydrogen adoption, strategic investments in research and development, technological innovation, and international collaborations are pivotal to overcoming barriers and propelling the mission towards fruition.
Amidst the successes and challenges encountered in implementing these energy sector initiatives, the Narendra Modi government’s unwavering commitment to steering India towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable energy future remains resolute. As India charts its course towards energy security and environmental stewardship, pragmatic policy interventions, stakeholder engagement, and technological innovation will be instrumental in realizing the nation’s renewable energy aspirations and ushering in a paradigm shift towards sustainable development.
