Renewable Energy Will Be A Key Part of More Ambitious NDCs

With the dawn of a new year, we edge closer to 2030, a critical timeline for both national targets such as achieving 500 GW of renewable generating capacity and global climate commitments—limiting global average temperature rise to 1.5° C and tripling renewable capacity. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), anticipated to be submitted soon, offer a critical opportunity to reshape energy systems and solidify commitments to a sustainable future. Serving as a blueprint for the energy transition, NDCs have played a vital role in reimagining climate action and strengthening renewable energy adoption across sectors.

The imperative of updating the NDCs presents us with an opportunity to accelerate climate action. Meeting critical timelines requires a holistic approach that integrates renewables beyond the power sector into all aspects of the energy ecosystem. The 29th session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) in 2024 brought about a crucial development in this direction. Advocating for a sixfold increase in energy storage with the Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge, the conference emphasized the role of energy storage in harnessing the full potential of renewables. 

In addition to energy storage solutions, there needs to be an increased focus on decentralized energy systems, digitization and AI-based solutions, and expanding green energy usage, as highlighted in the “Deliberations on India’s Pathway to 500 GW Renewable Energy Access”, recently organized by Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). 

Greening the Transport Sector: Key Lessons from India

As India targets increasing the share of non-conventional fuels in its energy mix, the dependence on renewables across sectors is bound to grow. In these changing dynamics, electrification of transport emerges as a key strategy to achieve the dual goal of amplifying renewable adoption and minimizing emissions across the entire value chain.

India demonstrates exemplary goal-setting in the electric vehicles (EVs) sector, with an aim to increase EV penetration to 30% by 2030. The growth in the sector so far can be attributed primarily to a robust research and development (R&D) landscape and policy support—EV registrations are rising by 70% year-on-year. Initiatives such as the  Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme, PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE), PM eBus Sewa Scheme, and PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) scheme are encouraging widescale adoption of electric vehicles. While the PM eBus Sewa scheme calls for the deployment of 10,000 electric buses on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the PM-eBus Sewa PSM, approved by the Cabinet early last year, is supporting the deployment of 38,000 e-buses from FY 2024-25 to FY 2028-29.

These innovations in e-bus deployment offer a replicable model and inspire collaboration between emerging economies worldwide. For instance, last year, delegates from Nigeria visited India for a peer-to-peer exchange organized by GEAPP, World Resources Institute (WRI) India, and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll). The session facilitated the exchange of key insights and reforms from India’s e-mobility model to support the deployment of alternate fuel buses in Nigeria under its Presidential CNG (Pi-CNG) initiative. 

As EV adoption increases, so does the need for robust infrastructure and storage solutions that can stabilize grid operations, especially during peak demand. Energy storage systems are critical for integrating renewables into EV charging networks as they ensure that the energy supply is reliable and sustainable. Storage technologies, such as battery energy storage systems (BESS), play a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless integration of renewables and enabling the electrification of transport.

An Integrated Approach to Net-Zero

While India’s EV policies have set a strong foundation, e-mobility is just one part of the larger solution. This growth must synergize with the decentralization of energy systems, integration of energy storage technologies, renewable energy capacity expansion, and strengthening the residential sector for energy security. Since climate finance remains a major determinant in developing more ambitious NDCs and advancing climate action, significant investments will be required to deliver on the 2030 timeline and the long-term goal of net zero by 2070. 

Collaboration among international, national, and sub-regional stakeholders, coupled with partnerships between public, private, and philanthropic entities is critical for driving policy reforms, mobilizing resources, and building robust infrastructure. These efforts will empower small and medium businesses in the industry and aid decision-makers in tackling the high upfront costs of innovative solutions. Partnerships can support infrastructure development as well. An example is the recent approval of the Bundelkhand Expressway project, proposed by GEAPP in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA).

Conclusion

Under its updated NDCs submitted to the UNFCCC in 2022, India proposed a 45% reduction in its emissions intensity and about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-conventional fuel-based energy sources by 2030. In the recent 4th biennial submission to the UN climate change body, India reports a reduction of 36% in emission intensity; the share of non-conventional fuel-based sources in the installed electricity generation capacity has risen to 46.5%. These achievements show that with the right support, India will not only succeed in achieving its existing targets but also in developing more ambitious NDCs. The nation must continue to prioritize policy reforms, invest in infrastructure, and foster partnerships across sectors. The journey toward a sustainable future demands unwavering collaboration and innovation. 

The path to 2030 requires not just more gigawatts but a fundamental shift in the energy ecosystem—one that prioritizes inclusivity, reliability, and resilience in renewable energy expansion. By aligning renewables, energy storage, Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions, and electrified transport under a cohesive strategy, India’s NDCs can serve as a global model for paving the pathway to a green, inclusive, and secure future.