Gujarat Unveils Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen Policies

Gujarat's Commitment to Clean Energy

On Thursday, the Gujarat government introduced new policies focused on renewable energy and green hydrogen. The primary goal of these initiatives is to establish the state as a leading hub for clean energy.

Through these policies, Gujarat aims to diversify and sustain its energy portfolio to effectively tackle the challenges posed by climate change.

The two policies, titled 'Integrated Renewable Energy Policy 2025' and 'Gujarat Green Hydrogen Policy 2025', are designed to facilitate a swift transition towards clean and sustainable energy systems.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced these policies during an event in Gandhinagar, coinciding with the celebration of Good Governance Day on December 25, which honors the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

An official statement highlighted that the renewable energy policy aligns with India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and the vision for a developed Gujarat by 2047. This initiative is a significant step towards making Gujarat a globally competitive clean energy center, promoting investment, innovation, and grid stability in the renewable energy sector.

The release noted that by enhancing Gujarat's leading position in renewable energy, the policy aims to contribute significantly to India's target of achieving over 500 gigawatts of clean fuel-based energy capacity by 2030, with a specific goal of exceeding 100 gigawatts by 2030.

A key aspect of this policy is the encouragement and integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), which will facilitate the connection of large-scale renewable energy to the grid while ensuring grid stability.

Additionally, the renewable energy policy provides exemptions for projects related to self-use and third-party sales, streamlining the timeline for transmission infrastructure based on voltage levels rather than project capacity.