Energy has always been one of the most decisive factors in the history of human development. In ancient times, wood and animal power; in the Middle Ages, water mills and coal; during the Industrial Revolution, steam; and in the 20th century, oil and natural gas determined the pace of economic growth and the superiority of nations. Today, energy is not only the key to economic growth but also to environmental sustainability and geopolitical security. The climate crisis of the 21st century, the rapid increase in energy demand, and the finite nature of fossil fuels have pushed countries toward alternative solutions. The Paris Climate Agreement (2015), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (2015), and the European Union’s Fit for 55 strategy (2021) have shaped the global framework of this transition.
India holds a special position in this transformation. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, India experiences one of the most rapid increases in energy demand globally. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s energy demand is expected to double by 2040. This enormous growth makes India’s energy policies critical not only domestically but also globally. The Indian government has announced its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and aims to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Among India’s federal states, Gujarat plays a pioneering role in meeting these national commitments. Historically a hub of trade and industry, Gujarat is today one of India’s most industrialized regions. It also has exceptional potential for renewable energy with its high solar radiation (on average 300 sunny days per year), strong wind corridors, and vast land resources. Under these conditions, the Gujarat Hybrid Energy Park has emerged as the world’s largest hybrid renewable energy project.
The park is located in the Rann of Kutch desert, close to the Pakistan border, covering 72,600 hectares (more than 700 km²). This area is nearly equal to the size of Singapore. The project aims to reach a total capacity of 30 GW: 20 GW solar and 10 GW wind. This capacity surpasses the total installed energy capacity of many countries. Investment in the project is estimated at 20 billion USD. Once completed, it will supply electricity to 20 million households, prevent 60 million tons of carbon emissions annually, and significantly enhance India’s energy security.
The hybrid model is the most striking feature of the project. Solar and wind energy complement each other: solar panels produce maximum output during the day, while wind power is stronger at night. This complementary cycle enables a continuous power supply to the grid. The integration of lithium-ion batteries and, in the near future, green hydrogen storage technologies further strengthens energy reliability. Land use is also optimized, as both solar panels and wind turbines can be installed in the same area, reducing pressure on agricultural and residential lands.
Economically, the Gujarat Hybrid Energy Park is directly linked to India’s development policies. During the construction phase, hundreds of thousands of direct jobs will be created, and indirectly, tens of thousands of opportunities will arise in supply chains, logistics, infrastructure, and maintenance. Local communities will benefit from accelerated infrastructure investments in roads, electricity, and water. The project also attracts global investors. In addition to India’s major corporations such as Adani Green Energy and Reliance Industries, international investment funds are contributing, turning India into a global hub for renewable energy capital.
Energy exports further highlight the strategic importance of the Gujarat Hybrid Energy Park. The Indian government plans to export electricity to neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh and, in the long term, to sell green hydrogen to European and Asian markets. Excess energy generated in the park can be transformed into green hydrogen via electrolysis, making India a potential global exporter of clean energy.
Environmentally, the project will have a transformative impact. Coal still accounts for over 70% of India’s electricity production. The Gujarat Hybrid Energy Park will significantly reduce coal-based emissions. Preventing 60 million tons of CO₂ annually represents approximately 5% of India’s total yearly emissions. However, the project is being developed in a fragile ecosystem. The Rann of Kutch is home to flamingos and hundreds of migratory bird species. Therefore, environmental impact assessments have been conducted, and the siting of turbines and solar panels has been carefully planned to protect biodiversity.
Social impacts are also significant. For local villagers, job opportunities and infrastructure improvements increase acceptance of the project. Yet, disputes over land use have also emerged. Some residents express concern about agricultural land being converted for energy infrastructure. Transparent project management, inclusive decision-making, and social dialogue are thus critical to ensuring the project’s long-term success. Renewable energy transitions must account for social as well as environmental sustainability.
On the global policy stage, the Gujarat Hybrid Energy Park aligns perfectly with India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. It is also directly linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and Goal 13 (Climate Action). Compared to the EU’s Fit for 55 package, the Gujarat model is far larger in scale. Indeed, the capacity of this single project surpasses the annual installed renewable capacity of several European countries. This demonstrates India’s ambition to position itself as a leader in global energy transformation.
For Turkey, the Gujarat model offers important lessons. Turkey has significant potential in both wind and solar energy, yet hybrid power plants combining these sources remain underdeveloped. Key takeaways from Gujarat include the need to incentivize hybrid renewable projects, invest in energy storage technologies, integrate local producers and SMEs into the supply chain, and leverage international financing opportunities. By doing so, Turkey can both strengthen its energy security and meet its commitments under the European Green Deal.
In conclusion, the Gujarat Hybrid Energy Park is not only a symbol of India’s energy future but also a landmark in global renewable energy transformation. As the world’s largest hybrid renewable energy park, it makes substantial contributions to sustainable development, energy security, and carbon neutrality. By embodying India’s strategic vision, the project provides an inspiring model for countries like Turkey. Hybrid renewable projects, combined with storage integration and community development, represent the foundation of 21st-century energy systems. Gujarat demonstrates that from local initiatives to global ambitions, renewable energy can indeed become the backbone of a sustainable future.
Sources
- Government of Gujarat. (2023). Hybrid Renewable Energy Policy. Gujarat Energy Development Agency.
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India. (2024). Annual Report on Renewable Energy.
- Adani Green Energy Ltd. (2025). Project Reports on Kutch Hybrid Park.
- International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2023). Renewable Capacity Statistics.
- European Commission. (2021). Fit for 55: Delivering the EU’s 2030 Climate Target on the way to climate neutrality. EUR-Lex.
- United Nations. (2015). Sustainable Development Goals.
- World Bank. (2024). Financing Clean Energy Transitions in Emerging Economies.
- The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). (2023). Hybrid Energy Systems in India.
- Economic Times of India. (2024). Adani, Reliance push hybrid renewable mega projects in Gujarat.
- Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). (2024). Global Renewable Energy Outlook.
She graduated from Çankaya University Faculty of Law in 2005. In the same year, she completed her master’s degree in Constitutional Law at Çankaya University, Department of Public Law. Until 2011, she worked as an ODY-ÜDY Instructor at Vocational Training Centers affiliated with the Ministry of Transport. For approximately 15 years, she has been working as a legal expert at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). Initially, she was involved in Foreign Trade and International Logistics at TOBB and represented the United Nations for nearly seven years. She is currently serving as a legal expert in the SME Policies Directorate within the TOBB Department of Real Sector R&D and Implementation.
Meanwhile, she is working on completing her doctoral dissertation in Administrative Law at Gazi University, Department of Public Law-Administrative Law. After completing her thesis on TOBB, which is recognized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in Turkey, she plans to publish it as a book.
Additionally, since 2023, she has been writing columns in the London section of “DÜNDAR HUKUK” and “DÜNDAR LEGAL SERVICE CONSULTANCY,” which have established themselves internationally, particularly in the field of energy and renewable energy.