Karnataka has left behind Tamil Nadu in the renewable energy capacity addition race, surpassing the latter by 1.7 GW as at the end of March 2018, according to a new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). Karnataka’s renewable capacity has also exceeded its coal-fired capacity by 2.5 GW.

Off-grid renewable energy solutions have emerged as mainstream and support the expanding access to modern energy services in a timely and environmentally sustainable manner. Off-grid renewables are able to deliver a wide spectrum of electricity services for households, public services, commercial and industrial uses.

Access to electricity can bring about a transformative change in the economic conditions and growth of any country. It not only helps in improving the living conditions of the society at large, but also provides them with ample revenue opportunities to earn a livelihood.

In order to accelerate the global transition to clean energy, it is important to systematically identify the risks associated with RE deployment and address these risks through a combination of policy and market-based interventions.

This brief examines the issue of curtailment for technical and commercial reasons and its impact on stakeholders; must-run status for renewable power; and the prospective role of granting compensation for grid unavailability and instability.