Jaipur: Rajasthan has emerged as India’s leading state in solar energy, accounting for nearly 27% of the country’s total installed solar power capacity, according to recent energy sector data. The state’s rapid expansion in renewable energy has positioned it at the forefront of India’s clean energy transition. However, despite this achievement, experts say infrastructure limitations are leading to significant solar power losses and curtailment.
Rajasthan dominates solar capacity in India
India’s total installed solar capacity stands at approximately 150 GW (1,50,000 MW), out of which Rajasthan contributes around 40–41 GW (40,000+ MW). This makes the state the largest contributor to solar energy generation in the country.
The growth has been driven by large solar parks, strong sunlight availability, and investor-friendly renewable energy policies. Major solar zones such as Bhadla, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner have become key hubs of power generation.
Power generation outpacing infrastructure
Despite strong capacity additions, the state’s power evacuation infrastructure has not kept pace with generation growth, leading to grid constraints.
According to sector estimates:
- Around 1,500–2,000 MW of solar power is curtailed or underutilized during peak generation hours
- In some cases, 25%–40% of daily solar output faces grid restrictions
- Transmission bottlenecks are affecting multiple solar parks during high production periods
Experts say this mismatch between generation and transmission capacity is the primary reason behind renewable energy losses.
Key reasons behind energy wastage
Energy analysts point to several structural challenges:
- Insufficient high-capacity transmission corridors
- Delays in new inter-state transmission system (ISTS) projects
- Overloading of existing grid networks
- Lack of large-scale battery storage systems
- Limited flexibility in grid management during peak solar hours (11 AM–3 PM)
Economic and investment impact
The curtailment of solar power is also affecting project economics:
- Revenue losses for renewable energy developers
- Delayed return on investment for solar park operators
- Reduced efficiency of installed renewable infrastructure
- Concerns among investors about long-term grid reliability
Industry reports suggest that annual losses due to curtailment could run into hundreds of crores of rupees if infrastructure gaps are not addressed.
Government response and future plans
Authorities are working to strengthen the transmission network by:
- Expanding high-voltage transmission lines
- Increasing inter-state grid connectivity
- Promoting battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- Improving coordination between state and central grid agencies
Officials believe these steps will help Rajasthan fully utilize its renewable energy potential and reduce wastage.
