MAINS Current Affairs includes Twin Climate and Energy Crises: A Call for Clean Energy Transition & India’s Rooftop Solar Boom: Growth & Regional Imbalances

ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY

1. Twin Climate and Energy Crises: A Call for Clean Energy Transition

Context: The UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the world is facing twin crises of climate change and energy insecurity, both largely driven by continued dependence on fossil fuels.

• He called for an accelerated transition to clean energy, stronger climate adaptation measures, and urgent global cooperation to achieve climate goals.

What are the Twin Crises?

1. Climate Crisis

Rising Global Temperatures

• The world has experienced the 11 hottest years on record, reflecting the accelerating pace of global warming.
• Global temperatures are expected to exceed the 5°C limit set under the Paris Agreement, increasing the risk of irreversible climate impacts.

Climate Tipping Points

Crossing critical thresholds may trigger irreversible environmental changes, including:

• Coral reef collapse due to rising ocean temperatures and acidification.
• Rapid melting of Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, leading to sea-level rise.
• Weakening of major ocean circulation systems (e.g., AMOC), affecting global weather patterns.
• Transformation of parts of the Amazon rainforest into savanna, reducing its carbon absorption capacity.

2. Energy Crisis

• Ongoing geopolitical conflicts, particularly in West Asia, have disrupted global oil and gas supplies.
• Heavy dependence on fossil fuels has resulted in:
  • Energy price volatility.
  • Inflationary pressures.
  • Supply chain disruptions.
  • Threats to energy security.
• The crisis highlights the vulnerability of countries that rely heavily on imported fossil fuels.

Major Reasons Behind the Twin Crises

1. Dependence on Fossil Fuels

• Coal, oil, and natural gas remain the dominant sources of global energy.
• Burning fossil fuels releases large quantities of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), driving climate change.

2. Windfall Profits of Fossil Fuel Companies

• Rising energy prices during geopolitical conflicts have generated enormous profits for oil and gas companies.
• These profits often encourage continued investment in fossil fuels instead of renewable energy technologies.

3. Inadequate Power Grid Infrastructure

• Many countries lack modern electricity transmission and distribution systems.
• Renewable energy projects often face delays because existing grids cannot efficiently absorb variable renewable power.
• Limited energy storage facilities further restrict renewable energy integration.

4. Rising Energy Demand from AI and Data Centres

• Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, and large data centres require enormous quantities of electricity and water.
• Rapid expansion of AI infrastructure increases energy demand and may lead to higher emissions if powered by fossil fuels.

5. Insufficient Climate Finance

• Developing countries often lack adequate financial resources to:
  • Build renewable energy infrastructure.
  • Improve climate resilience.
  • Invest in adaptation measures.
• Developed countries have not fully met their climate finance commitments under international agreements.

Why is Renewable Energy Important?

1. Falling Costs

• The cost of:
  • Solar energy
  • Wind energy
  • Battery storage
    has declined sharply over the past decade.
• Renewable energy is now competitive with conventional fossil-fuel-based electricity.

2. Energy Security

• Renewable energy reduces dependence on imported crude oil, coal, and natural gas.
• It protects countries from:
  • Global price shocks.
  • Geopolitical disruptions.
  • Supply shortages.

3. Economic Benefits

• Renewable energy creates employment opportunities in:
  • Manufacturing
  • Installation
  • Maintenance
  • Research & Development
• It promotes domestic industries and reduces foreign exchange expenditure on fuel imports.

4. Environmental Benefits

• Renewable sources emit little or no greenhouse gases during operation.
• They help:
  • Reduce air pollution.
  • Improve public health.
  • Lower carbon emissions.
  • Achieve Net Zero targets.

Global Call for Methane Reduction

The UN Secretary-General launched a Global Call to Action on Methane, targeting emissions from:

• Fossil fuel operations
• Agriculture
• Waste management

Why Focus on Methane?

• Methane (CH₄) is one of the most powerful greenhouse gases.
• It traps over 80 times more heat than CO₂ over a 20-year period.
• Responsible for nearly 30% of global warming since the pre-industrial era.
• Reducing methane emissions provides one of the fastest ways to slow global warming.

India’s Efforts Towards Climate and Energy Security

National Solar Mission (2010)

• Promotes large-scale solar power generation.
• Encourages both grid-connected and off-grid solar projects.

National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF)

• Supports research, innovation, and deployment of clean energy technologies.
• Financed initially through the Clean Energy Cess on coal.

Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO)

• Mandates power distribution companies and large consumers to purchase a fixed share of electricity from renewable sources.
• Encourages greater renewable energy adoption.

Financial Support and Incentives

• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for solar PV manufacturing.
• Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for solar and hybrid projects.
• Rooftop solar subsidies.
• Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for green electricity trading.

Strengthening Infrastructure

Green Energy Corridor

• Develops transmission infrastructure for integrating renewable energy into the national grid.

PM-KUSUM Scheme

• Promotes solar-powered agricultural pumps.
• Reduces diesel dependence and provides additional farmer income.

Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS)

• Improves financial and operational performance of DISCOMs.
• Enhances grid efficiency.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

• World’s largest rooftop solar programme for households.
• Promotes decentralized clean energy generation.
• Reduces electricity bills while increasing renewable capacity.

India’s Climate Commitments

India has pledged to:

• Achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070.
• Reduce the emissions intensity of GDP.
• Expand non-fossil fuel energy capacity.
• Meet commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Way Forward

Accelerate Renewable Energy Transition

• Rapidly expand solar, wind, green hydrogen, and battery storage capacity.

Strengthen Electricity Grids

• Modernize transmission infrastructure.
• Develop smart grids and large-scale energy storage systems.

Enhance Climate Finance

• Developed countries should fulfill climate finance commitments.
• Mobilize public and private investments for clean energy projects.

Reduce Methane Emissions

The UN recommends:

• Detect and repair methane leaks.
• Eliminate routine gas flaring and venting.
• Make methane emissions measurable, reportable, and verifiable (MRV).
• Develop science-based international methane standards.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly 70% of methane emissions from oil and gas operations can be eliminated using existing technologies, often at low or no additional cost.

Promote Sustainable Energy Technologies

• Encourage energy efficiency.
• Expand electric mobility.
• Invest in green hydrogen, carbon capture, and advanced battery technologies.

Conclusion

The climate and energy crises are deeply interconnected, with fossil fuel dependence driving both environmental degradation and energy insecurity. A rapid transition to clean, affordable, and reliable renewable energy, combined with strong climate adaptation, methane reduction, and international cooperation, is essential to achieve sustainable development, strengthen energy security, and meet global climate goals.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

2. India’s Rooftop Solar Boom: Growth & Regional Imbalances

Context: A recent analysis by Climate Compatible Futures (CCF) and data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) reveal that while India’s rooftop solar sector is witnessing rapid growth, the expansion remains highly uneven across different states.

• Western and southern states dominate installations, whereas eastern and northeastern states continue to lag behind.

India’s Rooftop Solar Landscape

• India’s cumulative rooftop solar capacity reached 25.7 GW by early 2026.
• Around 7 GW was added during Q1 of 2026, representing a 125% year-on-year growth.
• Rooftop solar has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of India’s renewable energy sector.
• Despite this impressive growth, installations remain concentrated in only a few states.

Reasons Behind India’s Rooftop Solar Boom

1. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (2024)

The flagship scheme has significantly accelerated rooftop solar adoption by:

• Targeting installation of rooftop solar systems in 1 crore households.
• Providing subsidies of up to ₹78,000 for residential installations.
• Reducing household electricity bills.
• Increasing energy independence for consumers.
  • Residential consumers contributed nearly 82% of new rooftop additionsin early 2026.
• Strong Ecosystem in Leading States: Major solar rooftop states have developed related infrastructure, easier access to credit, efficient DISCOM and faster net-metering approvals.

Regional Distribution of Rooftop Solar

• Western and Southern Leadership:The top ten states constitute almost 86% of India’s rooftop solar power installations.
  • Important factors include timely government policies, well-developed solar market, better performing DISCOMS, and presence of vendors and financial institutions.
• Eastern Region of India:Eastern states are still struggling due to sufficient sunshine in the region.
  • Main barriers are stressed DISCOMS, insufficient number of installers, lack of credit access, poor awareness among consumers, and delayed approval of net metering systems.
• North-Eastern Region:Deployment of rooftop solar is still low despite increased government support centrally.
  • Important barriers include shortage of vendors, poor utility capabilities, delayed approvals, lack of financing options, and poor public awareness.

Major Challenges Hindering Rooftop Solar Expansion

1. Institutional Challenges

• Poor financial health of many DISCOMs.
• Slow processing of net-metering applications.
• Lack of coordination among government agencies.
• Complex approval procedures.

2. Economic Challenges

• High initial installation cost despite subsidies.
• Limited access to affordable credit.
• Difficulty in obtaining loans for households and MSMEs.
• High cost of battery storage.

3. Market Challenges

• Shortage of trained installers in rural and backward regions.
• Weak after-sales service network.
• Limited availability of quality equipment.

4. Social Challenges

• Low awareness regarding:
  • Government subsidies.
  • Long-term cost savings.
  • Environmental benefits.
• Lack of consumer confidence regarding maintenance and performance.

India’s Renewable Energy Progress

According to IRENA Renewable Energy Statistics 2025:

• India ranks:
  • 3rd globally in solar power capacity
  • 4th in wind energy
  • 4th in total installed renewable energy capacity

Solar Capacity

• India’s total solar capacity has crossed 150 GW, including commissioned, under-construction and pipeline projects.

Climate Targets

India is on track to:

• Achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030.
• Reach Net Zero emissions by 2070.

According to NITI Aayog:

• Solar capacity could reach:
  • 1,500 GW by 2050 under the Current Policy Scenario.
  • 2,400 GW by 2050 under the Net Zero Scenario.

India’s Climate Commitments (NDC 3.0)

India’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (2026) includes:

• 47% reduction in emission intensity of GDP.
• 60% installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035.
• Expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Way Forward

• Empowering DISCOMs: State governments must modernize utilities and motivate them to consider rooftop solar installations as their assets.
• Expanding the Installer Base: Motivating the private sector installers to move to underserved eastern and northeastern states.
• Improving Financial Access: Creating new financial arrangements including low-interest loans, pay-as-you-go schemes, and micro-finance.
• Consumer Awareness Campaigns: Huge efforts by the state are required in this regard through Panchayats, municipal corporations, and DISCOMs.
• Timely Approvals for Installations: Single window approach and digital means can help in that.

Conclusion

India’s rooftop solar sector is expanding rapidly and plays a crucial role in achieving energy security, climate goals, and decentralized clean energy generation. However, significant regional disparities continue to limit its full potential. Addressing institutional weaknesses, improving financing, strengthening DISCOMs, expanding installer networks, and simplifying approvals will be essential to ensure equitable rooftop solar adoption across all regions, thereby supporting India’s renewable energy targets and Net Zero 2070 commitment.

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