Saur Energy International Magazine July 2024 – Will up be a Solar Star?

Editorial

We don’t usually focus on a single state for a cover feature, but with Uttar Pradesh, we are talking about no ordinary state. India’s fourth largest and most populated state would be the sixth largest country in the world if the criteria was just population. It is no secret that just a few states like UP, Bihar, Bengal are beginning to be a real drag on not just India’s overall growth but also its renewable targets. That is why it made sense to take a deep dive into just what is changing in UP that many more people are more hopeful today.

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A target of 22 GW by 2027 is certainly reassuring, but even crossing 15 GW will be no mean feat, on the current base of just below 5500 MW. But with its specific challenges, it is also obvious that UP needs to look beyond the one size fits all formula. It may not have as large a C&I segment, it may have to look to subsidise storage rather than solar eventually, and it certainly needs to exploit rooftops for all they are worth. The story by Deputy Editor Manish Kumar takes a long hard look before ending on a hopeful note.

In other news, it has been fascinating to see how quickly the sector is evolving, with higher public participation through IPOs and the resulting scrutiny. Much needed, one might add. Low solar prices have certainly enabled hopes to soar, and it is anyone’s guess when the tide will turn. When it does, we can only hope that we do not regret not doing enough in this period of record low costs.

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