Puducherry, January 26, 2026, 12:17 (IST)
- According to Auroville Consulting’s modelling, renewables could meet more than 60% of Puducherry’s power demand by 2030
- The study highlights rising demand alongside a coal-heavy supply mix as key near-term pressure points
- Expanding wind capacity and moving industrial activity away from peak times might ease grid pressure and lower emissions
Puducherry has the potential to supply over 60% of its electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030, far exceeding both current levels and its official goals, a study by Auroville Consulting reveals. (The New Indian Express)
This is crucial because the same modelling forecasts a steep jump in demand as the industry scales up and urban areas expand, driving peak load higher by 2029-30. For a small grid, the gap between power generation and actual demand can quickly turn into a costly issue.
The study reported that renewables account for roughly 19% of Puducherry’s electricity supply, factoring in power purchased from other states. Policy goals target an increase to around 43% by 2030. Coal-based sources still provide close to 60% of the region’s power.
The report relied on hour-by-hour system modelling, simulating supply and demand for each hour. It found renewables could supply over 60% of total demand, climbing to roughly 73% under its more ambitious scenarios.
The study found that a wind-heavy energy mix outperformed others, reducing system costs and emissions without relying heavily on battery storage. Emissions intensity dropped to roughly 0.09 tonnes of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour, reflecting the CO₂ emitted per unit of electricity generated.
The study cautioned that simply boosting solar capacity won’t fix the issue. Solar power hits its peak during daylight hours, while demand spikes in the evening, it noted. This mismatch can strain the grid and drive up costs unless consumption patterns change.
It highlighted demand-side measures — like time-of-use tariffs that hike prices during peak periods, and “demand response” programs that reward or encourage consumers, particularly in industry, to shift their usage. Thanks to these steps, renewable energy curtailment—when excess clean power gets trimmed because the grid can’t handle it—dropped by over 50%, while carbon intensity slipped further to roughly 0.084 tonnes of CO₂ per megawatt-hour, according to the report.
The study, released in conjunction with the United Nations’ International Day of Clean Energy, noted that the complete report will be available on January 26 on Auroville Consulting’s website.
Auroville, the international township near Puducherry, hosted “Auroville Youth Camp 2.0” this month, drawing over 80 young people from diverse fields like computer science and law, according to ABP Nadu. Dr Jayanthi S. Ravi, secretary of the Auroville Foundation and additional chief secretary in Gujarat’s state government, spoke to participants online, calling Auroville “not just a city of buildings” but a place aimed at tackling “the problems of humanity.” (ABP Nadu)
Ravi also urged participants to stay grounded, noting that when people “hold on to the truth,” nature tends to support them. He added that while tools like artificial intelligence can take over routine tasks, they don’t replace human judgment. The study points to a tougher challenge for Puducherry’s power transition: whether regulators and major consumers can shift demand enough to keep a wind-driven renewable system stable during evening peaks.
