National programme

The key objective of CSE’s renewable energy programme in India is to increase ambition for 100 per cent renewable energy in India. This comprises the following key focus areas:  

• Reforms to support grid-scaleRE deployment:Beyond the headline progress of low tariffs and scaling up of solar to over 20GW, the impediments to grid-scale wind and solar power come from the challenges posed by transmission and distribution entities in a number of ways – delayed payments, curtailment, denial of open access, unwillingness to sign PPAs,. CSE is undertaking research and policy assessments to push reform in distribution sector and related policies to catalyse wider uptake of RE in India. 

• Energy access through decentralized renewables: 

• Building on previous work on mini-grid systems, CSE is analyzing the role of mini-grids in electricity demand displacement, as well as their future as tail-end generators integrated in the grid. Research is also assessing the feasibility of solar water pumps as a viable solution to increase water access in the agricultural sector, as well as their impact on groundwater use. Research aims to inform policy recommendations regarding where installations and integration of solar pumps with grid / mini grids for energy access and water conservation. 

• CSE continues to promote solar rooftop initiatives in India, with a special attention on Gurugram. Over the past years, bulk of research has been on establishing the feasibility and quantifying environmental and economic benefits of solarrooftop. CSE has also prepared and submitted a detailed an action plan for SRT adoption in the city of Gurugram.Advocacy efforts are now focused on ensuring adoption of the action plan in Gurugram and other major cities, as well as on knowledge dissemination among end users. 

• Policy and regulatory oversight: CSE for several years has been playing a watchdog role in the country’s RE sector. This includes policy responses,public commentary and stakeholder engagement on various provisions pushing for mainstreaming the sector.