A study found that India spent approximately Rs 1,443 crore ($151 million) on 1,359 publicly funded clean energy research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects between 2019 and 2024. However, the funding is concentrated in a few technologies and has not sufficiently built the production capabilities needed for domestic clean energy manufacturing.
The projects, involving over 90 institutions, cover various areas including renewables, power storage, hydrogen, and energy efficiency. Renewables and other power/storage technologies received about three-quarters of the total funding. Solar photovoltaics alone accounted for a significant portion of projects and funding.
The report highlights that while India’s RD&D spending is significant, the challenge lies in whether it is developing the necessary technological capabilities for its energy and climate goals. The study noted a gap between research and deployment, with less visible activity at prototype and demonstration stages compared to early-stage research.
Source: Down To Earth