With 1.3 billion people, 460 million without electricity, and one of the world’s largest mining sectors, India is ripe for renewables. It’s already one of the top 10 countries for both solar and wind, according to CleanTechnica.
Much of the investment in renewables there is aimed at the bringing electricity to India’s poor, remote, and rural communities. Miners who operate in India have also taken notice of the falling cost of renewable energy, however, and are forging ahead with new projects.
Last month, state-owned firm National Aluminium Company Ltd. announced plans for 150 megawatts of solar and wind power. In December, Hindustan Zinc announced 115 MW of new solar, in addition to its current portfolio of 474 MW of thermal power and 274 MW of wind.
These developments reflect a larger trend. Even India’s fossil fuel-based companies are exploring renewable energy. State-owned coal giant Coal India Ltd. is gearing up to add more than 600 MW of solar across four different states, while NLC India Ltd. will be implementing 260 MW of grid-tied solar in two. Oil magnates Indian Oil Corp. and Oil India Ltd. have also earned approval for a 1 GW solar farm. India’s efforts to green its web of railways will also shave the emissions generated by transporting materials to and from mines.
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