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.
Region: 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.
