In line with government’s commitment to achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing a scheme for setting up of 50 solar parks of aggregate capacity 40,000 MW in the country.
These parks are meant to provide developed infrastructure to facilitate installation of solar power projects. Central Financial Assistance of up to Rs. 25 lakhs for preparation of Detailed Project Report and Rs. 20 lakhs per MW or 30 per cent of the project cost, whichever is lower, is provided for development of such parks under the scheme.
Apart from providing energy security, increased solar power production will strengthen India’s commitment to fighting climate change by reducing emissions, and lowering the carbon footprint. It will also reduce the cost of power for citizens of the country.
Other schemes for solar capacity enhancement
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has brought out a scheme for 1,000 MW Grid Connected Solar projects by Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and Government organizations with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to encourage Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to install solar power plants in the country. About 882 MW solar PV power projects have been installed under this scheme as on 28 February 2022.
Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY) Phase-II which provides for installation of solar street lights in remote, rural and semi-urban areas, was launched in December, 2018.
India is also working on a series of steps on solar capacity enhancement and utilisation front, such as clean-cooking in 24-25 crore households of India, solar panels on canals, solar tree in household gardens or balconies to possibly get 15 per cent energy for the household from the solar-tree.
The Ministry of New and Renewable energy on Thursday informed that it has constituted a committee for preparing a roadmap to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030. The committee includes representations from important agencies dealing with renewable energy & electricity.
India’s Renewable Energy capacity
A total of 152.90 GW of renewable energy capacity projects (including large hydro) have been installed in the country as on 28 February 2022 which includes 50.78 GW from solar power, 40.13 GW from wind power, 10.63 GW from bio-power, 4.84 GW from small hydro power and 46.52 GW from large hydro power.
Further, projects of 72.61 GW capacity are under various stages of implementation and 21.11 GW capacity are under various stages of bidding.
The budget 2022-23 also made some key announcements for the sector, like Rs 19,500 crore allocation for PLI for high efficiency PV solar modules, Green Hydrogen Mission, Coal Gasification, battery storage and clean cooking among others.
RE target
A target of achieving 500 gigawatt non-fossil energy capacity and achieving 50 per cent of installed energy capacity through non-fossil energy by 2030 has also been set. India is also committed to achieve Net Zero carbon emmissions by 2070.
The Nation Solar Mission targets installing 100 GW grid-connected solar power plants by the year 2022. In order to achieve the above target, Government of India have launched various schemes to encourage generation of solar power in the country like Solar Park Scheme, VGF Schemes, CPSU Scheme, Defence Scheme, Canal bank & Canal top Scheme, Bundling Scheme, Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme etc.
