Hybrid power plans heat up in India

Combining wind and solar power at dual-use plants could ease land acquisition and variability issues—which would impact the country’s renewables market growth

India's renewable energy ministry published a national policy on 16 May that envisions a national grid of "hybrid" power plants integrating both solar and wind power, a concept that potentially addresses threats to renewables' dominance of the energy mix such as inconsistent output and land shortages. But geographical challenges and design complications suggest hybrid power may not be the silver bullet that it envisions. The country's renewable sector has made major strides in recent years, rising to 20.1% of the energy mix as of 31 March, from 12% five years earlier, according to the Central Electricity Authority. However, growth towards the government's goal of 175 gigawatts of installe