Home to the world’s largest operational utility-scale solar park in Bhadla, Rajasthan has renewable energy forming 43.5 per cent of its total installed capacity

Most importantly, the report also expects a ‘dramatic’ shift in the generation composition, with renewables forming 74 per cent of capacity and 63 per cent of total generation. “Our model incorporates a forecast total of 22.6 GW of renewable energy to be added to Rajasthan’s grid,” it says. “This consists of 18 GW of new solar capacity, of which 3 GW is forecast to be distributed solar capacity.” Solar, it estimates, will supply 98 per cent of the incremental electricity demand by 2029-30, while 4 GW of new onshore wind power capacity will also be added.

IEEFA recommends retiring the state’s old-technology-based, end-of-life coal-fired plants, out of the state’s 9.8 GW of coal-fired capacity which makes up 45 per cent of its total installed capacity and produces 56.5 per cent of total on-grid generation. It also models a net reduction in coal capacity of 0.7 GW. “As discoms look to cater to their incremental demand through cheaper renewable energy sources, coal-fired plants will progressively lose out on market share to about 28 per cent to 13 TWh,” it says, adding: “Even with net coal capacity closures over the coming decade, we forecast the coal-fired power sector’s utilisation rates will drop to 41 per cent in from an already unsustainably low 55 per cent.

Biogas