Introduction
South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) Program is a US government flagship initiative that is closely working with South Asian national and regional government entities to meet their clean energy goals and strengthen their energy- security priorities by providing technical assistance to scale deployment of renewable energy, advancing new technologies and strengthening grid integration.
In India, the program is instrumental in supporting the country’s goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2070, a commitment which includes achieving 500 GW of non-fossil- based electricity generation capacity by 2030. This aligns with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP by 45% within the same timeframe. A prime example of this support is Indian Railways’ ambitious goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, with SAREP playing a pivotal role in driving this transition. Similarly, several other South Asian nations have set their own net-zero emissions and renewable energy targets. SAREP is a key player in this regional effort, offering technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives to help these countries reach their clean energy objectives.
Key Interventions
- Supporting MNRE in formulating new policies and regulatory reforms to advance the deployment of Rooftop Solar (RTS) capacity
- Institutionalizing the Vendor Rating Program to ensure the quality, safety, and performance of RTS installations
- Providing scheme design and data analytics support for the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana, which aims to install RTS on 10 million households
- Recommending policies to MNRE on innovative technologies and models such as Behind the Meter Energy Storage and Virtual Power Purchase Agreements
- Assisting MNRE in developing and implementing the National Repowering and Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects
- Offering subnational policy support to Haryana and Gujarat for advancing solar energy
- Identifying multiple revenue streams and applications of utility scale BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) in Haryana, Assam, and Gujarat
- Assessing the market potential, feasibility, and business case for behind the meter solar with energy storage systems
- Evaluating different technologies and business models for scaling Pumped Storage projects (PSPs)
- Designing Round-the-clock RE procurement tenders through sensitivity analysis and techno-commercial modeling for Indian Railways
- Providing sector-specific large-scale rooftop solar deployment support to Haryan
- Assisting Forum of Regulator (FOR) working groups on renewable energy policies, regulations, and their harmonization
- Supporting Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) on Deviation Settlement Mechanism Regulations
- Developing a demand response (DR) framework and resource adequacy (RA) implementation roadmap for Assam
- Designing a methodology to monitor distribution performance standards for Madhya Pradesh
- Reforming Electricity Supply Code regulations for Haryana and Karnataka
- Developing Grid Code regulations for Haryana
- Providing implementation support to Gujarat on repowering wind projects through technical assessment, micro-siting, and pilot projects
- Supporting utility-led rooftop solar planning for the Andaman and Nicobar administration
- Utility led Feeder level solarization procurement support under PM-KUSUM scheme in Haryana
- Implementation support to Gujarat on repowering of wind projects through technical assessment, micro siting and pilot project
- Technical support for one of the largest procurement tenders for solar panels and inverters in India for EESL
- RE procurement planning tool and financial model for utility scale solar and storage applications for Indian Railways
- Training of Trainers program to build capacity of IR officials on RE and other emerging technologies institutionalized within Indian Railways
- Knowledge exchange workshops at national and subnational level including technology demonstration study trips
- Knowledge partner to governments at various levels for advancing clean energy deployment
Key Achievements
Tenders for 1600 MW Round-the-Clock (RTC) Renewable Energy procurement by Indian Railways
MNRE National Repowering and Life Extension policy for Wind Power Projects 2023 released
400+ Indian Railway Officials trained on RE technologies
Model Regulations on Resource Adequacy, Green Energy Open Access Regulations, and Model guidelines for management of RE curtailment for wind and solar generation issued by Forum of Regulators
Rooftop solar Vendor Rating Program scaled at national level with 100+ installers rated
Revised Repowering of Wind Power Project Policy for Gujarat released
