Climate Change is one of the most burning issues in recent times related to its repercussions on our environment. Numerous culprits contribute to climate change, and one of the main culprits is Non-renewable resources. Non – Renewable resources, including coal, natural gas, oil, etc., contribute nearly seventy-five percent of greenhouse gas emissions, becoming top contributors to climate change globally. Restoring renewable energy becomes requisite to tackle this issue and prevent global warming. Many countries, including the US, India, and France, etc., in recent times, taking into account the impending crisis, have become proactive and have set their targets to phase out non-renewable energy resources. India has set an ambitious target of net zero emissions by 2070, and by the end of this decade; our country is planning to increase renewable energy capacity to 500 Gigawatt. Similarly, to achieve this target, the State of Odisha has recently introduced a policy called Odisha Renewable Energy Policy, 2022, to promote clean energy.
In this article, Odisha Renewable Energy Policy 2022 will be analyzed along with its impact on the environment and its associated challenges in terms of implementation.
ANALYSIS OF THE PROVISIONS IN ODISHA RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY, 2022
In Pursuant of achieving the objective of decarbonization in the energy sector and promoting clean energy, the Policy succinctly puts forth the plan of action to accomplish by the end of this decade. The Policy sets up a two-layer mechanism to ensure proper checks and balances in the form of a Nodal Agency and a single window committee that works in tandem with the project allocation and implementation part of the renewable energy policy. The State sets a massive goal to increase the renewable energy capacity to 10 GW by 2030, which is quite ambitious compared to the current capacity of around 627 MW. Since the Policy is framed under the main theme of promoting "Invest Odisha," there have been galore of offers and incentives to investors to attract investment in the renewable energy sector. The incentives range from concessions in electricity charges to procurements of lands for projects related to renewable energy. The Policy also entails promoting "Green Hubs" with a focus on new domains related to green ammonia and green hydrogen, which in turn helps steel and fertilizer sectors shift to clean energy. Further, Solar Parks having a minimum capacity of 25 MW will be stimulated to balance costs related to their generation and associated resources.
Land procurement in Odisha for setting up renewable energy projects has always been a problem due to a lack of suitable land, regulatory issues, and competing demands for land from other sectors such as agriculture and urbanization. To tackle the problem related to land requirements, the Policy propounds two solutions one through the Land Bank scheme, and the other is Floating Solar panels. The Land Bank scheme facilitates land requirements by allowing renewable energy projects to be allotted government land earmarked for the industry. The land acquired for the renewable energy projects will be further given concession from paying additional charges per local land reform policies, thereby ensuring a massive boost for investment in the renewable energy sector. The Policy also supports floating solar panels on water bodies, which helps produce maximum solar energy by leasing it to PSUs or private sectors. This move could address the land constraints faced by the State and increase the capacity of solar power generation.
The Importance of Wind Energy projects and biomass production have been further enunciated in the Policy, thereby promoting the usage the alternative source of energy. Finally, the Energy Transition concept introduced in the Policy aims to ensure a smooth transition from non-renewable to renewable resources by providing workers in coal mines with training related to renewable energy technologies. This could mitigate the negative impact on employment opportunities while promoting the State's transition towards clean energy sources.
CONCERNS OF ODISHA RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY, 2022
Even Though Odisha Renewable Energy Policy 2022 has some hallmark policies and incentives related to renewable energy, it still has to face many challenges concerning its implementation. Following are some of the main concerns The Government must address regarding the Policy –
The problem of adaptability in Energy Transition Policy
The transition towards renewable energy sources has the potential to impact the livelihoods of individuals involved in the coal industry. This can result in job losses and affect the economic well-being of families that rely on the coal industry for their livelihoods. Furthermore, while the Policy guarantees training programs for workers in coal mines to acquire new skills related to renewable energy, there may be challenges associated with the adaptability of these workers to the new area of work due to the requirement of specialized skill set. This can result in delays in implementing renewable energy projects and additional costs associated with training or hiring new workers in the field.
Possibility of Misuse in Land Bank Scheme
The "Land Bank" scheme greatly boosts renewable energy projects by easing the land requirement process. However, there is a possibility of legal challenges if the compensation paid to the landowner is inadequate, and this may lead to disputes and delays in project implementation. Moreover, there may be concerns about the rights of tribal communities living on or having traditional rights over the land. If their interests are not protected adequately, it could lead to social unrest and opposition to renewable energy projects.
Concerns over Maintenance of Floating Solar Panels
The Odisha Government, in tandem with the Assam and Telangana governments' Policies, has introduced the concept of floating solar panels, which would substantially reduce the dependence on land areas. However, the maintenance cost of floating panels would be higher than the ground solar plants due to the devices required to ensure the panels' floating and smooth functioning. Further, Odisha being a cyclone-prone area there is a possibility of damage to the floating solar panel structure due to unfavorable weather conditions. Therefore proper ground-level research should be conducted before working on the installation of floating solar panels.
CONCLUSION
The State Government of Odisha, through its Renewable Energy Policy, 2022, has set a platform for the future of renewable energy resources. The objective of the policies to decarbonize the energy sector is a welcome step, and with its energy transition and land bank scheme, the plan of action has been properly laid down. The shift to biomass fuel as an alternative in the Policy has furthered the base for promoting clean energy. Despite certain limitations and challenges ahead with the proper implementation of renewable energy policy, the Policy is still a savior for the current environmental crisis.
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