Rajasthan Launches Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024 to Promote RE Transition

With the aim of promoting renewable energy and establishing a sustainable green energy ecosystem, Rajasthan has introduced the "Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024," paving the way for a cleaner and more efficient energy future.

The policy is poised to significantly transform the State’s energy landscape, with a focus on leveraging its vast natural resources to meet national and global climate goals.

The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhjan Lal, emphasised the importance of the policy, stating, "With the target of 125 GW of Renewable Power by 2029-30, Rajasthan has potential to play a key role in developing low-carbon and self-reliant economic pathways. Given the environmental concerns facing the world today, harnessing this potenial is more of a responsibility forus towards our future generations than an opportunity."

The Minister of Energy for Rajasthan, Heeralal Nagar, further supported this vision, adding, "With a focus on solar, wind, and green hydrogen energy, our policy lays the foundation for a clean, green, and self-sustaining energy future for Rajasthan. We are enabling both public and private sectors to work together with a clear framework and incentives to foster large-scale renewable energy development. By investing in these energy sources, we are setting the stage for Rajasthan to emerge as a leader in India’s renewable energy transition."

He further added, "This Mission policy is expected to facilitate deployment of Clean Energy ecosystem and create opportunities for innovation and investments across the Green Energy value chain, translating into investments, jobs and economic growth."

The policy introduces comprehensive measures for accelerating the State’s transition to renewable energy. One of the key aspects is the emphasis on solar energy, with Rajasthan already being home to some of India’s largest solar parks.

The policy encourages the establishment of both large-scale solar parks and rooftop solar installations. It incentivises residential and commercial rooftop solar power systems, making it easier for households and businesses to generate their own clean energy.This is expected to empower local stakeholders to take part in the green energy revolution. The policy also facilitates faster approvals for solar power projects, which will reduce bureaucratic delays and enhance investor confidence.

Wind energy is another pillar of Rajasthan’s renewable energy strategy. To tap into this potential, the policy lays out a clear roadmap for wind power development, including the allocation of land for wind farms and wind-solar hybrid projects. These hybrid systems will integrate both solar and wind energy generation, helping stabilise the grid and provide a more consistent energy supply. Hybrid projects are crucial for reducing dependency on fossil fuels, as they can generate power both during the day (through solar) and at night (through wind).

In addition to wind and solar energy, the policy also emphasises the development of renewable energy parks, which will act as hubs for large-scale renewable energy generation. These parks will integrate solar, wind, and hybrid technologies into a single location, offering the necessary infrastructure and facilities for both developers and investors. 

To encourage private sector participation, the policy offers significant incentives for developers, including tax exemptions, subsidies, and subsidies for land acquisition. These incentives are designed to attract investment and foster rapid development in the renewable energy sector.

The policy also emphasises the development of pumped storage plants (PSPs), which are considered a critical solution for stabilising the grid and ensuring a steady power supply. 

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) will also play a crucial role in supporting the renewable energy infrastructure in Rajasthan. Since renewable energy sources like solar and wind can be intermittent, BESS will help ensure a stable and reliable power supply. The government plans to provide subsidies and technical assistance to BESS developers, ensuring their growth alongside solar and wind energy projects.

The policy encourages the installation of energy storage systems, both centralised near large renewable energy installations and decentralised for rooftop solar systems. These storage systems will allow the excess power generated during peak production hours to be stored and used when generation is low, thus improving grid reliability.

In addition, the policy also promotes off-grid solar applications, such as solar-powered water pumps, home lighting systems, and water heaters, especially in remote areas. It aims towards the development of renewable energy projects that can sell power to distribution companies or be used for third-party purposes both within and outside the State. 

The development of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations powered by renewable energy is also a crucial component of the policy. The government is focused on creating a robust infrastructure for these stations, which will play a significant role in promoting the use of electric vehicles across the state. Additionally, the establishment of renewable energy parks and ultra-mega renewable energy parks (UMREPPs) is a cornerstone of the policy. These parks will serve as hubs for large-scale solar, wind, and hybrid energy projects, providing the necessary infrastructure and facilities for both developers and investors

A key element of Rajasthan’s renewable energy policy is the focus on green hydrogen production. As part of the State’s long-term energy strategy, green hydrogen will be produced using renewable energy sources, primarily solar and wind. The policy outlines plans to set up green hydrogen production hubs and infrastructure, which will integrate into Rajasthan’s renewable energy ecosystem. This would not only boost the state’s energy security but also play a critical role in decarbonising industrial sectors such as steel production, refining, and transportation. The policy offers grants, tax incentives, and research subsidies for the development of green hydrogen projects, fostering innovation in this emerging sector. Through these initiatives, Rajasthan seeks to position itself as a key player in the global green hydrogen market, aligning with India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

The State government has also focused on making land more readily available for renewable energy projects, reducing bureaucratic hurdles that have historically slowed development. The policy introduces a competitive bidding process for land allotment, ensuring that developers can quickly access the resources they need to build renewable energy projects.

The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd. (RREC) will oversee the land allotment process, offering clarity and transparency to developers. The policy also introduces flexible development models, including public-private partnerships, which can accelerate the rollout of renewable energy infrastructure.

In conclusion, Rajasthan’s renewable energy policy is an ambitious and comprehensive strategy aimed at driving the state’s energy transition. With a focus on solar, wind, hybrid technologies, battery storage, and green hydrogen, the policy provides a robust framework for large-scale energy development, offering incentives, land access, and government support for investors and developers.

The policy is expected to create the right conditions for investment and innovation; Rajasthan is poised to lead the way in renewable energy development, contributing to both national energy security and global climate goals.