Solar energy instead of coal – renewable electricity from Rajasthan
Solar energy instead of coal – renewable electricity from Rajasthan
The solar project in Rajasthan strengthens electricity supply in a region where energy demand is steadily increasing. In the desert region of Bhadla, a large-scale solar power plant generates renewable electricity and feeds it directly into the Indian power grid.
The solar electricity replaces power from fossil fuel-based power plants, reduces emissions, and helps ease the burden on a power mix that is still heavily dependent on coal. As a result, substantial amounts of greenhouse gas emissions are avoided each year. A project that demonstrates how large-scale solar energy can combine climate protection with energy security – reliable, efficient, and with measurable impact.
Technical project data – GS7726
Key facts about the solar project at a glance.
| Parameter | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Project location | Bhadla Solar Park, Jodhpur District, Rajasthan, India | Project Design Document (PDD), Section A.2, pages 12–13 |
| Project type | Large-scale, grid-connected solar power generation (utility-scale solar power plant) | PDD, Section A.1, page 9 |
| Project standard | Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG) | Gold Standard Registry; Validation Report, pages 1–2 |
| Installed capacity | 300 MW solar power | PDD, Project Overview, page 9 |
| Technology | Solar energy (photovoltaic power plant) | PDD, Technology Description, pages 14–15 |
| Grid connection | Feed-in to the public Indian power grid (Unified Indian Grid) | PDD, Section A.4, page 18 |
| Methodology | ACM0002 – Grid-connected electricity generation from renewable sources (version in accordance with GS) | Verification Report, page 2 |
| Project start | Project activities prior to the start of the first crediting period | PDD, Section A.1, page 9 |
| Crediting period | Active crediting period under the Gold Standard; renewable | PDD, Section A.4, page 19 |
| Project status | Registered and verified Gold Standard project, active | Verification Report, pages 1–2 |
| Annual electricity generation | Documented for the monitoring period: 900,443.59 MWh | Verification Report (Monitoring Period 01/08/2021–31/10/2022), page 3 |
| Annual emission reductions | 841,554 tCO₂e during the documented monitoring period | Verification Report, page 3 |
| Main impact mechanism | Displacement of fossil-based electricity generation in the Indian grid through solar power | PDD, Impact Section, pages 22–23 |
| Monitoring & verification | Regular monitoring of electricity generation and independent verification | Monitoring Report & Verification Report, pages 1–3 |
| Additionality | Project implementation economically supported by revenues from the carbon market | PDD, Additionality Section, pages 24–26 |
| Carbon Credit Rating | No external, independent carbon credit rating by specialised agencies has been published to date. | – |
| Carbon Credit Rating Type | No project-specific external classification has been assigned; no additional ratings are documented. | – |
| Article 6 Authorisation (Paris Agreement) | No authorisation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement has been indicated. | Gold Standard Registry |
| CCP Status (ICVCM) | No classification under the Core Carbon Principles (CCP) of the ICVCM has been published to date; no corresponding assessment is available. | ICVCM (project not listed) |
| Handling of Double Counting Risks | Emission reductions are uniquely attributed to the project and registered in the Gold Standard Registry; each tonne is issued only once. | Gold Standard Rules / Registry |
| Longevity of Emission Reductions | Emission reductions occur continuously over the technical lifetime of the solar installation through ongoing injection of solar power into the public grid. | Project description & monitoring data |
| Risk Management & Safeguards | Technical standards, operation and maintenance plans, and regulatory requirements under the Gold Standard ensure robust project implementation and risk mitigation. | Project documentation |
What the project can contribute
Here we summarize what the project is actually intended to achieve and which practical improvements it can enable.
- 1
Generating renewable electricity instead of fossil energy
The solar project in Rajasthan, India, generates large volumes of electricity from solar energy and feeds it into the public power grid. This replaces electricity that would otherwise be generated predominantly by coal-fired power plants. A measurable contribution to emission reductions in a strongly fossil-based energy system.
- 2
Strengthening electricity supply in the long term
With an installed capacity of 300 MW, the project contributes to stabilising regional electricity supply. In a region with growing energy demand, the solar park provides additional generation capacity that is reliable and designed for long-term operation.
- 3
Supporting the expansion of renewable energy
The project is part of India’s large-scale expansion of solar energy. It demonstrates how utility-scale solar parks can gradually replace fossil-based electricity generation and anchor renewable energy permanently in the power mix.
- 4
Reducing environmental impacts
Solar electricity is generated without fuels, combustion processes, or water consumption for cooling. Compared to fossil power plants, emissions such as CO₂, particulate matter, and other air pollutants are avoided. The project therefore contributes to lower environmental impacts and improved air quality.
- 5
Delivering measurable climate action
Electricity generation and resulting emission reductions are regularly monitored and verified. This ensures climate action with clear, transparent, and verifiable impact that is designed for the long term.
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Global climate relevance
Emission reductions
By generating solar electricity, the project avoids substantial amounts of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Emission reductions result directly from replacing fossil-based electricity generation in the Indian power grid. A measurable contribution to emission reductions in one of the world’s most carbon-intensive electricity markets.
Displacement of fossil fuels in the power mix
All electricity generated by the project is fed into the public power grid. Without the project, this electricity would largely be produced by coal-fired power plants. The project therefore contributes to displacing fossil baseload power and reducing long-term dependence on coal.
Resource-efficient electricity generation
Solar power is generated without fuels, combustion processes, or water consumption for cooling. Compared to conventional power plants, there are no exhaust gases, particulate emissions, or extraction and transport-related emissions. The project demonstrates how low-emission electricity generation can be achieved with limited environmental impacts.
Additionality
The implementation of a solar project of this scale would have been economically less attractive without revenues from the carbon market. Proceeds from CO₂ certificates support investments in construction, operation, and long-term monitoring. Without this climate finance, the project would have been implemented later, at a smaller scale, or possibly not at all.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – The relevant and the complementary contributions
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the solar project in Rajasthan generates further positive effects for energy supply, the environment, and economic development. The project therefore supports engagement in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most significant contributions relate to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Additional goals are supported secondarily or as complementary effects. Some SDGs are considered marginal contributions that tend to have more indirect impacts.
The project generates renewable electricity from solar energy and feeds it into the public Indian power grid. This provides clean energy within an electricity system that has historically been strongly dominated by fossil fuels.
Contribution: Expansion of renewable electricity generation and strengthening of a more climate-friendly energy mix.By displacing fossil-based electricity generation, the project avoids substantial amounts of CO₂e emissions each year. It therefore delivers a measurable contribution to emission reductions in the energy sector.
Contribution: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through renewable electricity generation.The construction, operation, and maintenance of the solar park create employment opportunities and strengthen regional service providers and supply chains.
Contribution: Temporary employment during the construction phase and permanent jobs during operation.Large-scale solar projects such as this contribute to the expansion of modern energy infrastructure and promote the deployment of innovative technologies in the power sector.
Contribution: Strengthening of energy infrastructure and integration of renewable generation into the power grid.Electricity generation takes place without fuels, combustion processes, or resource extraction typical of fossil power plants.
Contribution: More resource-efficient form of energy production, without a direct impact on consumption patterns.A more stable supply of electricity from renewable sources can indirectly support energy security for households and businesses.
Contribution: Supportive effect, but not a direct urban development intervention.
How CO₂ Savings Are Generated
Clean electricity from renewable energy projects replaces fossil-based power. The emissions avoided through this shift can be measured and form the basis for issuing carbon credits.
Renewable power changes the overall energy mix: every kilowatt hour produced by wind, solar or hydropower reduces the need for electricity from coal, gas or oil.
The amount of CO₂ emitted per kilowatt hour varies by country and by fuel type. These official grid emission factors make it possible to calculate how much CO₂ would have been released without the renewable energy project.
For each project, the expected fossil share is compared with the clean electricity actually delivered. The difference shows the verified emission reductions — the real CO₂ savings. These values are reviewed by independent auditors, updated regularly, and form the certified basis for carbon credits.
Context and transparency
This solar project is registered under the Gold Standard for the Global Goals and is regularly monitored and verified. The reported emission reductions are based on audited monitoring reports and recognised methodologies for calculating greenhouse gas reductions in the energy sector.
The project stands as an example of climate action measures in the power sector that combine renewable electricity generation with measurable emission reductions and are transparent, traceable, and designed for long-term impact.