Theme: Energy | How did Surya ghar Yojana scheme manage to reach 6.3 lakh solar installations in nine months ?

In this episode of the State of Economy Podcast, businessline's Rishi Ranjan Kala speaks with Anujesh Dwivedi, Partner at Deloitte India, who brings over two decades of experience in consulting and the power sector. Dwivedi provides an in-depth look at the major achievements of 2024, including India’s record-breaking peak power demand of 250 GW and significant strides in renewable energy.   The country has added an impressive 30 gigawatts of new generation capacity, a key step toward reaching the 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power target by 2030. Dwivedi also highlights important policy measures, such as the success of the Surya ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a scheme that aims to provide free electricity to households in India.  Dwivedi discusses the financial viability concerns of power distribution companies, the underutilisation of gas-based plants, and the need for more robust transmission networks. With the growth of renewable energy, particularly intermittent sources, there’s a growing demand for enhanced grid stability and investment in transmission infrastructure.   Looking forward, Dwivedi shares key trends and events to watch for in 2025, from the ramping up of domestic manufacturing under the PLI initiative for solar to increased private sector participation in power distribution. The government’s efforts to address transmission bottlenecks and the success of schemes like rooftop solar are also discussed as vital components of India’s energy future.  The episode concludes with valuable insights into what has been achieved and what lies ahead in the rapidly evolving energy sector , with a particular focus on how India is navigating its energy transition.  (Host: Rishi Ranjan Kala; Producer: Prethicshaa Gurumoorthy) About the State of the Economy podcast  India’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several sectors continue to stutter even as others seem set to fire on all cylinders.