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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘TN has 1.2 L MW solar power potential; taps less than 1%'
Chennai: Tamil Nadu has the potential for 1.29 lakh megawatts of solar power, which, if fully tapped, can meet 100% of the state's projected power demand five years later, according to a study by UN-backed NGO Auroville Consulting. The installed capacity of solar power in TN, at 10,656 MW, is however just 0.78% of the potential. The NGO projected the figures for the distributed energy resources (DER) by comparing secondary data from the Solar Technology and Application Atlas of India (STAAI) and the Centre for Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), quantifying the electricity generation capacity of various technologies available, including rooftop and floating photovoltaic systems. If the entire solar potential is achieved, the state can generate 203.67 trillion units of power in a year, which is more than the projected power requirement for 2030-31. In 2034, it can still meet 87% of the projected power demand, it said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Of the 1.29 lakh MW potential, about 50%—60,479 MW—can be achieved just by rooftop solar systems, which can meet half of the power demand in 2030-31. Now, only 1.66% of the rooftop solar potential has been realised so far. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Tamil Nadu has planned an addition of 18,400 MW of solar capacity in the next 10 years, but this would meet only 14.25% of the total potential, which includes rooftop solar, urban photovoltaic systems, building-integrated photovoltaic systems, floating PV systems, canal top solar systems, and rail and road integrated PV systems. The study also highlighted that the thermal power generation of the state for 2024-25, which is 74.22 trillion units, could be entirely offset by tapping just 37% of the solar potential or 78% of the rooftop solar potential. "Integration of distributed energy resource (DER) systems, such as rooftop solar, offers a range of benefits at both the network and societal levels. At the network level, DER systems help utilities reduce expenditure by minimising investments in generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure," the study said. A Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation official said tapping the entire solar power potential is not feasible without battery storage systems. "The inputs will be considered, and viable options will be explored," said the official.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From Free Power to EVs: Punjab's power demand set to soar to 1.26 LMU by 2036.
With box attached in CCI Chandigarh: Electricity demand in Punjab is projected to soar to 1,26,347 million units (MU) by financial year 2036, driven by industrial expansion, increased household consumption, and a sharp rise in electric vehicle (EV) adoption. A new study urges the state to undergo a major energy transition — cutting dependence on fossil fuels, ramping up renewables, and upgrading infrastructure — to avoid power shortages and environmental setbacks. State's industrial ambition are still tied to old-school energy. The report, 'Punjab Roadmap 2036: Clean Energy Transition', published by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), projects a 68% increase from the state's current demand of 75,316 MU in FY 2025. Peak power demand is expected to rise from 16,058 MW in 2025 to 27,040 MW by 2036. Punjab has already experienced power deficits in FY 2022 and 2023 — 404 MU and 330 MU respectively — following a post-Covid industrial revival and the rollout of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt's 300-unit free power scheme for households. Despite having an installed generation capacity of 14,861 MW, the state heavily depends on thermal power, which accounts for 56% of its energy mix. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Solar and wind make up just 18%, while hydro contributes 23%. Nuclear and other non-conventional sources remain marginal. The study calls for capacity additions of 26,372 MW by the 2036 fiscal, including 7,451 MW of energy storage through pumped hydro and battery systems to handle the intermittency of renewable energy sources. Electric vehicles are expected to further reshape Punjab's energy landscape. From just 75 EVs registered in 2017, the number rose to 25,492 in 2023, and is projected to reach 51 lakh by 2036. EV adoption is forecast to push electricity demand up by 9,087 MU. By 2030, EVs are expected to account for 30% of all new vehicle registrations, rising to 60% by FY 2036. The roadmap calls for grid infrastructure upgrades to accommodate this shift, along with public and private EV charging networks. Renewable shift, nuclear support To reduce dependence on fossil fuels, the report recommends a 67% renewable energy share by 2036 under a 'clean energy scenario', up from 46% in the 'business-as-usual' model. This shift could cut carbon emissions by 41%, reduce power purchase costs by 7.7%, and eliminate the need for about 7% of new power plants. The state is also advised to procure 2,637 MW of nuclear power to ensure consistent supply, during peak demand periods or low renewable output particularly. Land, rooftop solar, & farming Punjab's reliance on agriculture and its limited availability of non-fertile land pose challenges for large-scale renewable projects. To address this, the report urges the identification of barren or unused land for solar and wind farms. As of April 2025, the state had only 454 MW of installed rooftop solar capacity — far below potential. The roadmap suggests accelerating rooftop solar programmes, deploying smart meters, and enforcing Energy Conservation Building Codes. In the agriculture sector, the study recommends replacing 22% of inefficient irrigation pump sets with energy-efficient, star-rated alternatives by 2036, supported by a buy-back and subsidy scheme. Solarisation of pump sets is also highlighted as a key strategy to reduce the state's energy burden. Officials say the clean energy path requires higher initial investment but promises long-term economic, environmental, and energy security benefits. Punjab's energy transformation, experts say, will depend not only on technology and investment — but on political will and public participation to power the shift toward a cleaner, more resilient grid. For in the end, it's not just wires and will, but politics, people, and the power bill. box Two Pathways, One Decision The study outlines two scenarios for Punjab's energy future:- >> Business-as-Usual | 46% renewables, 54% fossil fuels, with demand reaching 1,26,347 MU and emissions at 41 MtCO2 >> Clean Energy Scenario | 67% renewables, 33% fossil fuels, with demand moderated to 1,22,271 MU and emissions cut to 30 MtCO2 — a 4% annual decline box Key Recommendations >> Identify non-fertile land for solar/wind projects >> Invest in 7,451 MW of energy storage (pumped hydro + battery) >> Procure 2,637 MW of nuclear energy >> Scale rooftop solar, smart metering, and green building codes >> Introduce green finance, buy-back of inefficient farm pumps MSID:: 122251659 413 |
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Study highlights need for nature-based solutions to prevent climate-related losses in the city
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) should establish a permanent nature-based solutions advisory board, and ensure that urbanising zones integrate the solutions into long-term urban planning, reducing future risks related to industrial expansion and climate vulnerabilities, according to a recommendation of a study by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), a Bengaluru-based think tank. The study titled 'Urban Greenprints-Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Feasibility Framework for Urban Coastal Regions' covered 23 wards of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), spanning an area of 64.35 for their NbS potential using land-use and land-cover mapping. Key zones for intervention included residential areas, public spaces, transportation corridors, and blue-green infrastructure. Rooftops in residential zones present major opportunities for green infrastructure, with a potential to increase NbS areas in the city by 76%. Chennai and Mangaluru were the cities selected as case studies because of their exposure to flooding, sea level rise, and extreme weather events. Permeable pavements in transport corridors could improve urban drainage, offering a 5% increase in NbS areas for both cities. Additionally, waterbodies in select wards can be fully leveraged for wetland restoration and establishing buffer zones. The study's findings pointed to the need for developing partnerships with real estate developers and industry stakeholders to fund large-scale NbS interventions, particularly in coastal industrial zones. Collaborations among government bodies such as the Park Department of the GCC, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, and the Tamil Nadu Wetlands Authority and private entities such as Chennai Smart City Limited and Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company can help pool resources for larger-scale NbS projects. The study also stressed the need for coordination with neighbouring cities, such as Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu, to create a regional NbS network, which can help pool resources for larger ecosystem resilience projects and share best practices. Eco-tourism should be promoted around green spaces serving as public parks or restored wetlands such as Pallikaranai, where guided tours can attract visitors and generate income for maintenance. The study recommended pilot projects, such as green rooftops and permeable pavements, in densely populated wards to combat storm-water runoff and mitigate the urban heat island effect. Green corridors connecting parks and open spaces along Old Mahabalipuram Road and East Coast Road, where urban expansion is intense, will be beneficial, it added. The study said cost–benefit analysis for green rooftops and permeable pavements estimated that implementing these measures would cost ₹2,203 crore in Chennai and ₹172.97 crore in Mangaluru. In Chennai, the expected benefit from reduced flood damage and productivity losses is ₹505.31 crore every year. This means the investment would pay for itself in just over four years, the study said. Without any action, Chennai could face climate-related losses of up to ₹10,000 crore over the next 20 years, according to the study.
Hans India
19-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Mangaluru can cut climate damage with ₹172 crore investment: CSTEP report
Mangaluru: A new report by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) has outlined that with an investment of ₹172.97 crore, Mangaluru could avoid ₹11.62 crore in annual damages linked to climate-related risks, including flooding and coastal erosion. The report, titled Urban Greenprints: A Nature-based Solutions Feasibility Framework for Urban Coastal Regions, calls for the integration of nature-based solutions (NbS) into the urban planning of select wards in Mangaluru. CSTEP recommends embedding NbS within planning and budgeting processes instead of treating them as standalone initiatives. The study identifies Panambur, Port, Hoige Bazaar, and Bengre as suitable wards for interventions such as rooftop greening, permeable pavements, and water body restoration. The report also notes that initiatives like the Coastal Bioshield Project at Tannirbhavi and ongoing lake rejuvenation efforts have shown preliminary success but remain limited by top-down governance and lack of community participation. The document advocates for spatial mapping, inclusive governance, and master planning focused on vulnerable zones like Surathkal and Ullal. It proposes that Mangaluru's approach could serve as a model for other coastal cities facing climate stress.
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Business Standard
19-05-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
₹2,203 crore green push can ease Chennai's climate challenges: CSTEP
Chennai, which frequently experiences heavy rains and floods, could save around ₹500 crore in reduced flood damages and co-benefits each year by investing ₹2,203 crore in key nature-based solutions across selected city wards, according to a study by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP). Nature-based solutions must be embedded in planning, budgeting and policy processes rather than treated as standalone initiatives, said the report titled Urban Greenprints: Leveraging Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to Address Urban Climate Risks. While Chennai is making steady progress through its climate action plans and green initiatives, the study highlights the need for further steps to tackle challenges such as heatwaves and flash floods. The research indicated that in selected wards, implementing green spaces, urban farms, permeable pavements and restored wetlands could significantly improve resilience to urban flooding. These measures would also help mitigate heat stress, reduce pollution and enhance overall liveability. Many proposed ideas are simple and cost-effective. For instance, in North Chennai wards, converting bare concrete rooftops into low-cost, low-maintenance gardens could increase local green cover by over 70 per cent. This would cool some of the city's hottest and most densely populated areas. In addition to reducing temperatures, rooftop gardens can absorb rainwater and provide household produce. Streets can also contribute to climate resilience. The report notes that switching to permeable surfaces in flood-prone areas would allow rainwater to seep into the ground, helping to recharge groundwater and reduce waterlogging. Chennai's wetlands form another essential part of the solution. Neighbourhood lakes and river catchments can act as natural sponges, absorbing stormwater and filtering pollutants. Preserving and expanding these ecosystems would not only protect against flooding but also support birds, fish and other native wildlife. The report cites existing on-ground initiatives that have demonstrated success. For example, the Chennai Urban Farming Initiative has introduced rooftop and mobile gardens in schools, homes and homeless shelters. These help cool buildings, grow food and create learning opportunities and jobs—especially for women and young people. In a city with limited land, using rooftops effectively is a smart and inclusive strategy. 'These changes require investment. We estimate that around ₹2,203 crore would be needed to put key nature-based solutions into action across selected wards in the city,' the report said. It also noted that the potential economic benefits, such as reduced flood damage, could yield annual savings of over ₹500 crore—meaning the investment could be recovered in just over four years. What makes the approach especially appealing is its flexibility. Projects can start small—such as a community wetland park or a few green rooftops—and scale up over time. The aim is not to overhaul the entire city at once, but to create context-specific solutions developed in collaboration with communities. Lakshmi Menon, Senior Analyst in the Adaptation and Risk Analysis group at CSTEP, said: 'In cities like Chennai and Mangaluru, even modest ward-level investments in green infrastructure can yield substantial long-term savings and ecological benefits. As climate risks intensify, integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning is not just desirable—it is essential for building resilient, adaptive and sustainable cities.'
