BRICS Accelerates Clean Energy Goals, with China Leading and India at the Forefront
BRICS nations are shifting from fossil fuels, with China leading and India strongly supporting renewable growth. The share of fossil fuels in BRICS' total installed power capacity is projected to fall below 50 percent, marking a historic move away from coal, oil, and gas.
November 01, 2024. By EI News Network
It may be noted that the 'BRICS' group of emerging economies was founded by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009, expanded to include South Africa in 2010, and welcomed Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ethiopia, and Egypt earlier this year.
As per the GEM report, with countries like China driving the decline—reducing its fossil fuel share at twice the rate of other BRICS members—the group now has renewable projects, particularly wind and utility-scale solar, being developed at double the scale of fossil fuel projects.
The report said that across BRICS, wind, solar, and hydropower are expanding rapidly, with approximately 1,550 GW of new wind and solar projects in development. Solar energy alone is projected to contribute 814 GW, led by China, while wind power, especially offshore, is advancing in both China and Brazil. Hydropower capacity is also on the rise, with China and India collectively leading efforts to build 708 GW of capacity using pumped storage technology for better grid stability.
Despite these strides, fossil fuels still dominate certain BRICS members' energy profiles. Coal remains a key resource for India, South Africa, and China, which together hold about 99 percent of the bloc’s coal capacity, totaling approximately 1,469 GW. Meanwhile, Russia, Egypt, Iran, and the UAE remain heavily dependent on oil and gas. Even so, non-fossil fuel projects now outpace fossil fuel developments within BRICS, signaling a continued pivot towards a sustainable energy future.
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As the third-largest energy consumer globally, India faces the dual challenge of meeting its expanding energy needs while striving for net-zero emissions by 2070. Currently, fossil fuels account for about 89 percent of its energy mix, demanding a significant shift in its power generation strategy. India aims to reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2031-32, with solar and wind playing central roles in this transition.
India’s coal power capacity stands at 239.6 GW, and new coal projects remain active, with 23.5 GW of proposals introduced in early 2024 alone. In contrast, solar power has surged, reaching 84.3 GW by mid-2024. The total includes 66.5 GW of ground-mounted, 12.9 GW rooftop,2.6 GW hybrid solar (combined with a wind farm), and 3.4 GW off-grid installations. The significant capacity additions saw India become the world’s third-largest solar power generator last year, behind China and the U.S.
As per GEM, India ranks fourth globally in wind installations, with 46.4 GW of onshore capacity as of May 2024. While installations had slowed in recent years, FY 2023/24 saw a recovery with 3.4 GW added, primarily in "windy states" like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, which together account for nearly half of the capacity. Currently, 14 GW of wind projects are in development, with most planned in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. New policies aim to accelerate growth, including annual 10 GW wind capacity targets and incentives to replace older turbines. In February 2024, India initiated seabed leasing for 4 GW of offshore wind near Tamil Nadu, supporting its 2030 target of 37 GW in offshore capacity.
Meanwhile, as of June 2024, India's hydropower capacity is 51.9 GW, mainly split between run-of-river and dam technologies, with pumped storage forming the rest. Key clusters lie in the Himalayas (45 percent) and Western Ghats (25 percent). In certain northern states, hydropower comprises 82–97 percent of capacity. Currently, 104 GW of hydropower projects are in development, with 65 percent in northern and northeastern states and 35 percent utilising pumped storage. However, hydropower faces climate risks, with a five-year low in 2023 due to reduced rainfall and reservoir levels, further threatened by glacier melt-related hazards.
This shift towards renewable energy across BRICS, and particularly in India, underscores a critical transformation. While fossil fuels continue to play a role, the increasing emphasis on clean energy development positions BRICS nations closer to their sustainability goals, supporting a more balanced global energy future.
please contact: contact@energetica-india.net.
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