State poised for green growth with abundant renewable energy potential, says forest secretary

Ranchi: Secretary of Forest Department Abubakar Siddiqui said that Jharkhand’s rich natural resources position the state to become a leader in energy transition. With better planning of renewable energy potential, Jharkhand can move towards its net-zero targets and green economy goals.

Siddiqui spoke at the launch event of the visionary report titled ‘Powering Progress: Unlocking Renewable Energy and Storage Potential Assessment in Jharkhand,’ organized by the Taskforce on Sustainable Just Transition, Jharkhand Government, and the Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED).

Industry Secretary Arwa Rajkamal highlighted the need to develop a robust manufacturing ecosystem to fully harness renewable energy potential, prioritizing production, installation, operation, and maintenance. She noted that existing industrial and MSME capacities in the state will play a key role in building clean energy infrastructure and ecosystems, requiring investment and technological innovation.

Planning Secretary Mukesh Kumar said that better utilization of Jharkhand’s untapped natural resources will aid infrastructure development and sustainable economic growth. He suggested learning from successful renewable energy models in western and southern states to become a front-runner in clean energy.

Former IFS officer A.K. Rastogi underlined the crucial role of clean energy transition in building a future-ready economy. He pointed to rising energy demands driven by industrial expansion, cooling needs, and digital infrastructure. Rastogi said the report would encourage green infrastructure, clean industrial ecosystems, green jobs, and socio-economic development, accelerating the energy transition process.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ravi Ranjan stressed that climate change impacts call for environmental sustainability and a shift towards efficient resource use to reduce carbon footprint, which aligns with economic benefits and broader social interests.

Currently, Jharkhand’s renewable energy capacity stands at 434 megawatts, accounting for 7.2% of its total energy capacity. The report estimates a potential of 46 gigawatts of renewable energy in the state, with solar energy contributing the largest share at 41 gigawatts. This includes 17.2 gigawatts of utility-scale solar, 6.2 gigawatts of rooftop solar, 9.4 gigawatts of agrivoltaics, 6.2 gigawatts of floating solar, and 2 gigawatts of concentrated solar power (CSP). Additionally, 4.1 gigawatts of hydropower, 715 megawatts of wind energy, and nearly 1 gigawatt of bioenergy (from crop residues, forest biomass, and municipal solid waste) have been identified.

The report’s key findings include being the first high-resolution study assessing nearly 66 gigawatts of renewable energy and storage potential across districts and blocks. It highlights approximately 46 gigawatts from various renewable technologies and 20 gigawatts from pumped hydro energy storage. Solar energy is identified as the most significant resource, spanning multiple technologies. High-capacity districts include Giridih, Ranchi, Gumla, West Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Palamu, and Chatra. The study underscores the urgent need for integrated renewable energy planning to drive green development in Jharkhand.