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@article{193863,
        author = {Khushi Agarwal and Gorantla Sanjay Janvi and Mukti Shah and Bharath B},
        title = {Energy, Equity, and Empowerment: Understanding India’s Clean Power Revolution},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {10},
        pages = {2149-2155},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=193863},
        abstract = {A decisive implementation stage has begun for India’s energy transition, as indicated by the accomplishment of 51.93% of non-fossil fuels capacity (266.78 GW of 513.73 GW) by December 2025—five years prior to the 2030 target. This is a testament to the rapid implementation of pledges made under the Paris Agreement and further emphasized through India’s national policy instruments. The move from targets to outcomes is a testament not only to India’s commitment to its policies but also to institutional coordination between governments at all levels.
This research paper aims to examine the expansion of utility-scale solar parks and onshore wind corridors, as well as the rapid growth of distributed rooftop photovoltaic systems within urban and semi-urban areas. The expansion of large-scale solar parks and wind corridors has been achieved through competitive auctions and decreasing costs of technology, as well as improved transmission capabilities. At the same time, distributed generation has improved energy availability, reduced transmission losses, and enabled households and small businesses to take a direct role in energy production.
One key factor in this process has been the growing inclusion of energy storage solutions, which include battery energy storage systems and pumped hydro storage, with the goal of managing intermittency and ensuring grid security. Investment in smart grid technologies, forecasting tools, and flexible dispatch has also allowed for higher penetration levels without compromising security.
In addition to this, the paper also explores the socio-economic aspects of the transition. For example, the expansion of renewable energy sources has created jobs across the manufacturing, installation, operation, and maintenance sectors. It has also encouraged the development of green skill sets. In the rural areas, the development of solar pumps, mini-grids, and lease schemes for renewable parks has encouraged the diversification of incomes. However, the structural challenges associated with the transition, particularly in the case of the coal industry, cannot be ignored.
The study also assesses the resource security-related concerns, such as dependence on critical minerals, and biodiversity conservation for the project sites. Overall, the findings indicate that the clean energy transformation in India marks an infrastructural shift and a socio-economic shift towards inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development.},
        keywords = {Renewable Energy Transition, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Development.},
        month = {March},
        }