Alternative Energy & Power 2021 | Trends and Developments

What may have escaped the notice of many is that 125 years ago, the municipal commissioners of Darjeeling decided to set up a small hydroelectric station for the town’s lighting needs using machines imported from Britain. India’s first hydroelectric power station at the foothills of the Arya Tea Estate near Darjeeling (Sidrapong) was commissioned on 10 November 1897, and has since been conferred “cultural heritage” status. Its original capacity was expanded in phases to a total of 1,000 kW in 1916 to meet increased demands. From these humble beginnings, India today is the third largest producer and second largest aggregate consumer of electricity in the world with an installed capacity of 384.11 GW as of June 2021. The wheel of development has come full circle with India now decisively fast-tracking the transition of its energy sources to renewables with a goal of 40% installed capacity (450 GW) in the form of sustainable power. This energy transition will bring with it various externalities which are discussed here.

Please click here to read the full article by Joint Managing Partner – Amit Kapur & Partner – Akshat Jain published in The Chambers Global Practice Guides.