The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability, and Technology (iFOREST), a leading environmental think tank, convened a conference titled “Enabling Balanced Renewable Energy Growth” on the 13th of August, 2024 in the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

Currently, India’s renewable energy capacity is heavily concentrated in the southern and western regions, with seven states—Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana—comprising over 80% of the total installed capacity. This uneven distribution extends to other green industries, such as solar photovoltaic manufacturing, leading to concerns about the sustainability and equity of the country’s energy transition.

During the conference, iFOREST released two critical reports aimed at promoting balanced renewable energy growth in India:

“Decoding ISTS Charges Waivers: Implications on System Costs and Procurement Decisions”: This report analyzes the impact of waiving Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges on renewable electricity procurement. While the ISTS waiver has spurred renewable energy growth, it has also created market distortions and exacerbated state disparities. The report suggests eliminating ISTS charges to enable fair competition among all states.

“Strengthening Renewable Energy Development Agencies in India”: This report underscores the need to fortify Renewable Energy Development Agencies (REDAs) in states with lower renewable energy investments. It highlights best practices from successful REDAs that other states can adopt to enhance policy implementation and foster renewable energy market growth.