What are the environmental and social impacts of solar thermal power plants in India?

1 Advantages of solar thermal power

One of the main advantages of solar thermal power plants is that they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Unlike fossil fuels, they do not emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, or particulate matter. They can also help India diversify its energy mix and reduce its dependence on imported coal, oil, and gas. Solar thermal power plants can also create jobs and stimulate economic development in rural areas, where most of the suitable sites are located.

3 Land use and biodiversity

Another challenge of solar thermal power plants is the land use and biodiversity impact. Solar thermal power plants require large areas of land to install the collectors, towers, pipes, and other infrastructure. This can lead to the displacement of local communities, the loss of agricultural land, the fragmentation of habitats, and the disturbance of wildlife. Solar thermal power plants can also cause glare, noise, dust, and heat effects that can harm the flora and fauna. Moreover, some solar thermal power plants use synthetic oils or molten salts as heat transfer fluids, which can pose a risk of leakage or fire.

4 Social and cultural aspects

Solar thermal power plants can also have social and cultural implications for the local communities. On the positive side, they can provide employment opportunities, income generation, skill development, and social services. They can also enhance the access to electricity and improve the quality of life. On the negative side, they can cause land conflicts, displacement, resettlement, compensation, and consultation issues. They can also affect the cultural and religious values, traditions, and practices of the local people. Therefore, it is important to involve the stakeholders and ensure their participation, consent, and benefit-sharing.

5 Policy and regulatory framework

The development of solar thermal power plants in India depends largely on the policy and regulatory framework that supports or hinders their implementation. India has set ambitious targets for renewable energy, including 100 GW of solar power by 2022, of which 20 GW should come from solar thermal power. India has also introduced various incentives, subsidies, tariffs, and schemes to promote solar thermal power. However, there are also some barriers, such as land acquisition, environmental clearance, grid integration, financing, and technology transfer. These challenges need to be overcome to ensure the viability and sustainability of solar thermal power plants.

6 Future prospects and recommendations

Solar thermal power plants have the potential to significantly contribute to India's energy security, climate mitigation, and rural development. However, it is important to assess and manage the associated environmental and social risks. To improve the performance and impact of solar thermal power plants, water-efficient technologies and practices, such as dry cooling, water recycling, and rainwater harvesting should be adopted. Minimizing land use and biodiversity impacts is also essential, such as selecting suitable sites, avoiding sensitive areas, restoring degraded lands, and implementing mitigation measures. Additionally, engaging with local communities is important to respect their rights, interests, and values by conducting social impact assessments, ensuring free prior and informed consent, and providing fair compensation and benefit-sharing. Finally, the policy and regulatory framework should be strengthened to address the barriers, such as simplifying the procedures, providing adequate incentives, enhancing the grid capacity, and facilitating the technology transfer.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?