According to Reuters, India will start a $5 billion transmission line tender in phases starting in June this year, with the goal of delivering 175 GW of renewable energy to the country's power grid by 2022.
As the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, India is committed to reducing emissions and by 2030 will increase the proportion of clean energy in the total installed capacity from the current 21.4% to at least 40%.
India's renewable energy targets mean a significant investment in transmission lines and infrastructure upgrades.
Since December last year, India has tendered for 12 GW of transmission lines, and another 16 GW tender will be launched before the end of June. In addition, 38 GW will be tendered by March 2020.
Compared with Europe, India's sunshine resources have more advantages. As part of tackling climate change, India has high hopes for developing solar energy.
The Indian government has previously set a goal to increase the installed capacity of solar energy to 100 GW by 2022, 60 GW of wind power, and 15 GW of biomass and hydropower.
Research analysts have been skeptical about whether India can achieve this ambitious goal.
At present, the Indian government is determined to overcome obstacles and is negotiating with the states to ensure the supply of land and to require distribution companies to borrow from government-led renewable energy development agencies to ensure timely payment to electricity producers.
The transition to renewable energy also means reducing the use of coal and diesel. According to industry sources, Reuters revealed that at least in the next five years, no private power producer in India has plans to invest in new coal-fired power plants. It is expected that all new installations in India will come from renewable sources.