India stands at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution, with ambitious goals and a commitment to balancing ecological preservation with industrial growth. The recently released Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2024 by the World Economic Forum ranks India 63rd out of 120 countries, highlighting its significant strides toward energy fairness, security, and sustainability. Central to this mission is India’s aim to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy by 2030, spearheaded by extensive solar, wind, and hydropower projects.

While this transition is crucial for meeting the nation’s climate objectives, it presents challenges, particularly for biodiversity in ecologically sensitive areas. For instance, the Thar Desert—home to some of India’s largest solar farms—has seen efforts to protect endangered species such as the Great Indian Bustard. Special measures, including the creation of buffer zones and carefully designed transmission lines, aim to mitigate the impact on local wildlife and migratory birds.

Recognizing these challenges, the Indian government has made biodiversity a priority within its renewable energy framework. Collaborating with energy companies, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) mandates biodiversity assessments for large-scale energy projects, ensuring minimal disruption to ecosystems.

Leading the charge in this endeavor are several key players in India’s energy sector:

1. NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL), the largest energy producer in India, is pushing towards a 10 GW renewable energy park in Rajasthan. They have also commissioned the largest floating solar project at the Ramagundam reservoir, actively integrating biodiversity-friendly practices to preserve natural habitats.
2. ReNew Power boasts a portfolio of 13.7 GW across wind, solar, hybrid, and hydro power. They have implemented bird diverters on their transmission lines to reduce risks to migratory species and strategically designed their solar parks to ensure minimal disruption to local flora and fauna.
3. Greenko Group operates hydropower, wind, and solar projects in biodiversity-rich regions and collaborates with local communities to safeguard aquatic ecosystems. Initiatives at their Rayala wind power site include developing organic farms and planting nectar-rich flowers, supporting butterfly conservation efforts.
4. Adani Green Energy Limited partners with environmental NGOs to conserve species like the Great Indian Bustard in ecologically sensitive areas. They employ measures such as insulation sleeves and cotton flags to prevent bird electrocution at their solar projects.
5. Tata Power combines solar energy initiatives with marine ecosystem conservation. Their efforts to restore mangrove ecosystems near coastal solar plants not only support sustainable energy generation but also protect coastal biodiversity and prevent erosion.

India’s energy sector exemplifies how clean energy expansion and biodiversity conservation can coexist. The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework reflects India’s commitment to sustainable development, where ecological preservation and industrial growth work in tandem. As the country accelerates its transition to renewable energy, integrating biodiversity into core strategies will ensure a future where both nature and industry can thrive.