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From India targets 900 GW clean energy by 2035 amid power cost issues

How could the push for 900 GW clean energy affect the Indian Energy Exchange?

Likely What happens if… A possibility worth considering, not a forecast.

Market volatility and supply mismatch challenge Indian Energy Exchange The transition toward a 900 GW clean energy goal, heavily reliant on solar and wind, is creating significant market instability on the Indian Energy Exchange. During solar-rich afternoons, abundant cheap power can lead to near-zero exchange prices. However, after sunset, when demand peaks, prices repeatedly touch ₹10 per unit, and some states, including Tamil Nadu, pay up to ₹37 per unit, leading to a severe mismatch between supply and demand. Resolving this imbalance is critical for the exchange to effectively facilitate the sale of 40 GW of low-cost solar projects that currently lack buyers.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written Thursday
Effect
Mixed
How direct
2 steps, all reported
When
Within weeks
The story
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How it reaches Indian Energy Exchange

Reported by news outlets

Tap any step to see the evidence behind it.

The facts so far

As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi put 900 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil power capacity by 2035 on India’s clean-energy agenda.thehindubusinessline.com
  • At present, 40 GW of low cost solar projects are unable to sell their power to discoms.thehindubusinessline.com
  • Solar-rich afternoons bring abundant cheap power, sometimes at near-zero exchange prices.thehindubusinessline.com
  • After sunset, Indian Energy Exchange prices have repeatedly touched ₹10 per unit, with Tamil Nadu paying up to ₹37.thehindubusinessline.com

Why it matters

The stability of the Indian Energy Exchange is crucial for the success of the 900 GW clean energy goal. If the market cannot resolve the mismatch between cheap daytime solar supply and expensive evening demand, large volumes of low-cost solar power will remain unsold, hindering the transition and failing to deliver the promised cost savings.

This challenge is common in rapidly decarbonizing grids globally. The reports suggest that solutions like battery storage, which can be deployed in one to two years, or adjusting consumer tariffs to reflect the cost of supply, are necessary to stabilize the market and allow the clean energy transition to proceed effectively.

What we don't know yet

  • How quickly can battery storage be deployed to address peak shortages and expensive purchases?
  • Will significantly lower daytime tariffs be adopted widely enough to shift demand to solar hours?

What would change this answer

Battery storage deployment acceleratesThe market mismatch could be resolved faster, leading to greater stability and higher utilization of low-cost solar capacity on the exchange.
Utilities resist lowering daytime tariffsThe mismatch will persist, keeping prices high during peak hours and limiting the ability of the exchange to absorb low-cost solar power.

Who else could feel it

Other possible ripples from the same event.

Reporting

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Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.