As India strives to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, extreme weather events and ecological challenges threaten the stability of this transition. Addressing these risks is vital to safeguarding energy infrastructure and balancing development with environmental conservation.
Dr. Eilia Jafar, a renowned Humanitarian and Development Professional with over two decades of experience in disaster management and climate adaptation, sheds light on these critical issues in her article, “Enabling Climate Resilience in the Indian Energy Sector: Mitigating Disaster Impacts on Renewable Energy Projects.” She highlights the growing vulnerabilities of solar and wind energy systems to cyclones, storms, and infrastructural disruptions. From advocating data-driven site selection to rethinking land use and strengthening climate-resilient policies, Dr. Jafar offers actionable solutions to ensure renewable energy projects remain sustainable and robust in the face of rising climate risks.
Explore her insights on achieving a resilient and balanced energy transition. Scroll down to read the full article.
Enabling Climate Resilience in the Indian Energy Sector: Mitigating Disaster Impacts on Renewable Energy Projects
India's energy sector is set to expand its renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. This is a crucial step in tackling climate change and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. However, the rapid expansion of renewable energy comes with challenges, particularly in the face of increasingly severe climate impacts. Extreme weather events, ecological disruption, and infrastructural vulnerabilities highlight the need for building resilience into India’s renewable energy projects.
States such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, with vast expanses of wasteland, are key regions for renewable energy projects. These lands are often preferred for solar and wind farms because they are easier to acquire and do not fall under strict land acquisition regulations. While these sites provide an advantage in terms of feasibility, they are also highly susceptible to climate-induced risks. Data from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that in the first nine months of 2024, India faced extreme weather for 255 days, resulting in 3,238 deaths and extensive damage to crops, infrastructure, and livestock. This frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have significant implications for renewable energy infrastructure.
Renewable energy projects have already faced disruptions due to climate events. For instance, cyclones along India’s coasts have forced wind turbines to shut down to prevent damage, leading to a 20% drop in electricity production during these periods. Solar power projects have not been immune either. In Maharashtra, lightning strikes damaged nearly 50 MW of a 125-MW solar farm in Sakri in 2020, while in Madhya Pradesh, storms this year damaged the world’s largest floating solar plant in Khandwa, delaying its operations.
Cyclones like Tauktae (2021) and Biparjoy (2023) have caused severe damage to rooftop solar power (RTPV) systems, particularly in coastal regions like Gujarat and Odisha. The strong winds from these cyclones have blown off solar panels, broken frames, and weakened mounting structures. In some cases, entire solar arrays have been destroyed, leading to significant financial losses for system owners. These incidents highlight the vulnerability of renewable energy systems to the growing unpredictability of extreme weather.
The resilience of solar panels during such extreme events is a growing concern. While solar panels continue to generate power during cloudy and rainy conditions, the damage to grid infrastructure during cyclones can disrupt the overall power generation. Furthermore, the lack of adequate backup systems such as batteries or generators exacerbates the problem, leading to prolonged power outages in the aftermath of extreme weather events.
The push for renewable energy also raises concerns about its environmental footprint. In Rajasthan, the drive to create space for solar and hydro projects has led to plans for large-scale deforestation in ecologically sensitive areas such as the Vindhyachal and Aravalli ranges. The proposed projects would require the felling of over seven lakh trees, including protected species like Mahua and Kadaya. While renewable energy is essential for reducing carbon emissions, the ecological cost of such projects cannot be overlooked. Protecting biodiversity and forest cover is as critical to combating climate change as transitioning to clean energy.
The government’s National Electricity Plan outlines measures such as expanding transmission networks, integrating energy storage, and supporting green hydrogen hubs. While these steps are important, resilience needs to be embedded into every aspect of renewable energy planning and execution. Site selection should factor in long-term climate risks, using data-driven assessments to identify areas less prone to extreme weather. Incorporating advanced forecasting systems can help operators anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions. Similarly, designing infrastructure to withstand harsh climatic conditions, such as stronger winds or excessive rainfall, will minimize damage and ensure continuity in energy generation.
Policy frameworks should also balance the dual goals of renewable energy expansion and environmental conservation. While wastelands provide an attractive option for solar and wind projects, decisions regarding land use must account for local ecological and social contexts. For example, the deforestation plans in Rajasthan call for a re-evaluation of the trade-offs between clean energy and environmental sustainability. Renewable energy should not come at the cost of irreversible damage to ecosystems.
The economic and social costs of ignoring climate resilience are significant. Extreme weather events disrupt energy supply chains and increase maintenance costs, straining already limited resources. Additionally, the broader impacts—such as damage to agriculture, infrastructure, and public health—create further economic pressures. For instance, in 2024, extreme weather events destroyed over 235,000 homes, affected 3.2 million hectares of crops, and resulted in nearly 9,500 livestock deaths. Such losses ripple through the economy, highlighting the interconnectedness of energy systems with other sectors.
Despite these challenges, examples of adaptive resilience provide a way forward. The swift resumption of operations at the Khandwa floating solar plant following storm damage demonstrates the potential for responsive measures. These examples emphasize the importance of proactive planning and robust infrastructure in mitigating risks.
India’s renewable energy ambitions are both necessary and achievable. However, integrating climate resilience into project planning and implementation is non-negotiable. This means prioritizing infrastructure that can endure extreme weather, ensuring that projects are environmentally sustainable, and maintaining a balance between development and ecological conservation. The scale of the challenge demands coordinated efforts from government, industry, and local communities. Transparent policies, innovative technologies, and stakeholder collaboration will be key to navigating these complexities.
As India moves forward with its clean energy transition, the focus must extend beyond capacity building to include resilience and sustainability. By addressing climate risks and environmental concerns, India can create a renewable energy sector that is not only robust but also aligned with long-term climate and development goals. The lessons learned today will shape how the country overcomes future challenges, ensuring that its energy infrastructure remains a cornerstone of sustainable progress.
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