A recent report entitled “Renewable Energy and Land Use in India by Mid-Century” by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has proposed that meticulous planning today can help India reap maximum benefits from its historical energy transition with minimal costs. This study from the IEEFA, an institute working towards creating a sustainable and financially viable energy economy, inspects the changing dynamics of energy markets and policies.
Estimations on Land Usage for Renewable Energy
It is predicted that by 2050, India will utilize vast stretches of land for renewable energy generation. The projection ranges between 50,000 to 75,000 square kilometres for solar energy installations and another 15,000-20,000 square kilometres for wind energy projects. Contrary to the scenarios in Europe or the US, in India, the need for electricity generation often clashes with different land use requirements such as agriculture, urbanisation, human settlement, and nature preservation.
Renewable Generation and Land Co-Existence
According to the report, if managed efficiently, renewable energy generation can coexist with other land uses. Unlike coal-based power generation, renewable energy production does not impose dramatic transformations on the land during its use or after its decommissioning.
Carbon Emission Associated with Land Use Changes
The report also highlights that the changes in land cover due to renewable energy generation may cause a net carbon release up to 50 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour. The quantity of carbon emission largely depends on factors like geographical location, expansion scale, solar technology efficiency, and land management practices adopted in solar parks.
Impact on Ecosystems
The quest for renewable energy land may pressurize various ecosystems. Even lands designated as wastelands, barren or unused, often serve as habitats for a wide range of fauna and support local communities’ livelihoods. Open Natural Ecosystems (ONE), labelled as wastelands, constitute around 10% of India’s land surface with major portions in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.
Suggestions to Reduce Environmental Damage
The report suggests that environmental damage can be minimized by optimizing the land size used, its location, and its impact on habitat, agriculture, and natural resource conservation. The study also proposes more focus on offshore wind energy, rooftop solar, and water body solar to reduce total land use necessities for renewable energy.
Land Assessment for Renewable Generation
The report emphasizes the need for evaluating and identifying land for renewable generation. It recommends avoiding areas with high density habitats when selecting sites for renewable energy projects.
Incentivising Agri Voltaics
In addition to the aforementioned points, the report also urges policymakers to pay attention to Indian agri-voltaics sector. This sector combines agricultural land usage with electricity production through photovoltaics. This approach can secure benefits to farmers and promote agri voltaics adoption, particularly in regions where crop yields can be maintained or improved.
