Analysing Viable Renewable Procurement Options of Renewable Power : An Integral Decarbonisation Tool for C&i Consumers in India

C&I consumers account for more than 50% share of total power consumption in India. Studies show that corporate renewable procurement will play a critical role in supporting the country achieve its renewable and emission reduction targets. This has resulted in a sharp increase in corporate renewable power demand. Renewable power is touted as one of the most commercially and technologically viable option with carbon abatement potential. Multiple avenues of renewable purchase are available for companies which include rooftop solar, open access, renewable energy certificates (RECs), green tariffs and buying renewable power on exchange. Several factors including flexibility, simplicity, reliability, cost affordability, market maturity and policy, construction, operation and maintenance risk associated with procurement route should be considered while curating the renewable procurement options mix. This paper gives a deep dive analysis of these procurement routes on these parameters which can help companies draw their own procurement strategy. While solar rooftop and open access PPAs have a more profound role owing to their higher market maturity and ability to procure large quantum of power at affordable costs, other routes including power exchange, green tariffs and RECs are better suited for a short-term role in procurement mix. Government incentives are critical to realise maximum potential in corporate renewable market and support country goals of meeting higher renewable penetration targets