West Bengal has emerged as eastern India’s leading state in green job potential, according to a new report by iFOREST, an environmental think tank. The report highlights that the state stands to gain significantly from India’s clean energy transition, provided it accelerates renewable energy deployment and aligns policy, infrastructure, and workforce development.
According to the report, timely execution will be the key factor determining whether West Bengal can convert its potential into large-scale employment across renewable energy and allied sectors.
Renewable Energy and Employment Potential
The iFOREST analysis notes that a faster rollout of renewable energy, supported by coherent regulations and local supply chains, could generate substantial employment in sectors such as:
- Solar and wind energy
- Battery energy storage and pumped hydro
- Green hydrogen
- Energy efficiency
- Electric mobility
- Renewable manufacturing and allied services
Conversely, delays in project execution and procurement could slow job creation and weaken the state’s contribution to India’s emissions reduction targets.
Current Status: Early Mover, Slower Momentum
West Bengal was once considered an early mover in renewable energy. The state piloted solar mini-grids in the Sundarbans and commissioned projects such as the Jamuria solar plant. However, momentum has slowed in recent years.
As of April 2024, the state’s installed renewable energy capacity stood at 640 MW, accounting for just 0.4 percent of India’s total renewable capacity. Capacity addition since 2019 has been minimal, and compliance with Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs) remained low at 15.9 percent in 2022–23, the report noted.
Analysts attribute the lag to a combination of national policy frameworks that favoured high solar resource states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, along with internal policy inertia and continued reliance on coal-based power generation.
Rising Power Demand and Future Targets
Looking ahead, West Bengal’s electricity demand is projected to grow steadily:
- 5 percent annually in the utility segment
- 19 percent annually in the captive power segment
RPO targets are expected to rise sharply from 29.9 percent in 2024–25 to 43.3 percent by 2029–30, creating significant demand for clean power.
According to Mandvi Singh, Programme Director – Energy Policy at iFOREST, this could translate into:
- 15.4 GW of renewable capacity by 2026–27
- 24.3 GW by 2031–32
These projections are far above the state’s current installed capacity, highlighting both the challenge and the opportunity ahead.
Policy Steps Taken So Far
The report acknowledges that West Bengal has taken several corrective measures in recent years, including:
- Government tenders for rooftop solar projects
- Plans for a 900 MW pumped hydro storage project
- New policies covering bioenergy, electric vehicles, renewable manufacturing, and green hydrogen
In December 2023, the state notified its Green Hydrogen Policy, targeting sectors such as steel, fertilisers, and sponge iron. The policy offers incentives including exemptions on land conversion fees, stamp duty, and electricity duty.
Key Bottlenecks Remain
Despite these initiatives, iFOREST cautions that incentives alone may not be sufficient. Major challenges highlighted in the report include:
- Slow renewable power procurement
- Uncertainty over long-term interstate transmission charge waivers
- Weak private-sector participation
- Limited land availability
- Expiry of the state’s 2012 renewable energy policy
- Capacity constraints within agencies such as WBREDA and WBGEDCL
These factors continue to hinder large-scale renewable deployment in the state.
Why This Matters
Nationally, renewable energy expansion between 2013–14 and 2018–19 created nearly 80,000 jobs, but more than 70 percent were concentrated in just six states. The next phase of India’s green growth is expected to be far more geographically diverse.
A joint study by Sattva and the Skill Council for Green Jobs estimates up to 35 million green jobs by 2047, spanning renewable energy, waste management, electric vehicles, sustainable textiles, and green construction.
For West Bengal, with its strong industrial base, ports, MSMEs, and urban clusters, the potential employment opportunity is substantial.
Industry Outlook
The iFOREST report concludes that West Bengal can position itself firmly in India’s next phase of green growth if renewable targets are aligned with:
- Workforce skilling and training
- Grid upgrades and storage deployment
- MSME participation in clean energy supply chains
- Just-transition planning for coal-dependent regions
If implemented effectively, these measures could allow the state to finally convert renewable energy potential into sustained job creation and long-term economic growth.
