Financing India's Renewable Energy Targets: Modes and Challenges
The Renewable Energy Sector of India is considered to be the world's second most attractive Renewable Energy market. In terms of the total, installed wind power capacity, India ranks fourth worldwide. In the previous year itself, (i.e. January-November 2017) India added 11.788 GW of the total power generation capacity from renewable sources. With the Government's increased support, along with enhanced, developed and improved economics, the Renewable Energy Sector is becoming more and more attractive to investors. The energy demand of India is expected to reach 15,820 TWh by 2040 and as India is gearing up to become self-sufficient and meet this requirement on its own, Renewable and Clean energy is expected to take on an important role. It is expected that by 2040, 49% of the total electricity obtained is to be generated through renewable energy. With the commitment of the Government of India to increase the use of clean energy sources, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a target to set up renewable energy capacities to the extent of 175 GW by 2022 (which includes 100 GW from Solar, 60 GW from Wind, 10 GW from Biopower and 5 GW from Small Hydropower units), as was announced in 2015. To fund this ambitious plan, India would need at least US$ 125 billion.7 The 'renewable energy industry' financing is considered difficult due to its characteristics of high initial investment, investment risk, and dicey long-term investment returns. Keeping this as a backdrop, this article aims at discussing the various Financing modes currently in use and the various financing challenges to be faced in meeting India's Renewable Energy Targets in the coming years.