This policy-focused study provides a comprehensive review of Jharkhand’s renewable energy (RE) landscape, highlighting opportunities and challenges for scaling clean energy in one of India’s most resource-rich states. Despite substantial potential, Jharkhand’s installed capacity stands at just 435 MW, reflecting policy gaps, weak institutional capacity, and underperforming procurement. The report assesses the state’s solar policy, institutional bottlenecks, and regulatory shortfalls, while proposing pathways such as stronger policy enforcement, institutional strengthening, implementation models, and local manufacturing. It outlines how Jharkhand can unlock its RE potential to drive industrial decarbonisation, reduce coal dependence, and generate green jobs for sustained economic growth.
Language: English
BRSR Supplement for the Steel Sector
BRSR Disclosure: ESG Performance of the Steel Sector
Strengthening State Climate Action Framework
The Climate Cost of Air Conditioning
Enabling Renewable Energy Growth in Jharkhand
Jharkhand Renewable Energy Potential Re-Assessment: Focus on Solar, Wind and Biomass
This study offers comprehensive re-assessment of Jharkhand’s renewable energy (RE) potential, employing updated datasets and assumptions, GIS mapping, and machine learning. Building on earlier MNRE estimates of 18.8 GW potential, the study finds Jharkhand’s estimated potential to be significantly higher at 77.5 GW, including 45.4 GW of ground-mounted solar, 3–14 GW of floating solar, 15.3 GW of wind (at 150m hub height), and 2.8 GW of biomass-based power. High-potential clusters are identified across districts such as Giridih, Hazaribagh, Deoghar, Dumka, Bokaro and Ranchi, with specific wasteland and reservoir sites mapped for investment. This re-assessment provides policymakers and investors with an evidence base to reposition Jharkhand as a potential RE hub, ensuring sustainable energy growth and industrial transformation in the state.
Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan for Bhubaneswar
The Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan (IHCAP) for Bhubaneswar is India’s first city-level framework to address rising heat stress and growing cooling demand in an integrated manner. Developed by iFOREST in collaboration with the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC), the IHCAP provides a comprehensive roadmap to tackle increasing temperatures and humidity, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, and the rapidly rising demand for cooling.
While India has made progress through Heat Action Plans (HAPs) at the city level and the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) at the national level, these efforts have largely remained parallel. By bringing them together, the IHCAP framework bridges critical policy gaps and advances short-term adaptation, long-term mitigation, and sustainable cooling strategies to chart a comprehensive path for climate-resilient urban development.
Transforming India’s Coal Capital: Just Transition Plan for Dhanbad and Damodar Valley’s Green Future
Repurposing Thermal Power Plants: A Toolkit
The Toolkit on Repurposing Retired Thermal Power Plants in India, developed by iFOREST, offers a clear and practical guide to planning the shutdown and repurposing of old coal-based power plants. It helps users understand how to manage each step of the decommissioning process, conduct feasibility studies for potential repurposing options, and assess environmental and social impacts. The toolkit also outlines key policies, regulations, and guidelines relevant to decommissioning, land reuse, and environmental compliance, and provides ideas for funding through cost recovery and other financial tools. Importantly, it focuses on a just transition, ensuring that workers and local communities are supported during the shift. Overall, it promotes a smooth and responsible transition towards cleaner energy in India.
