(a) whether the Government is seriously contemplating to increase the generation of renewable energy in the country; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard and the time frame for the same?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) & (b): Yes Madam. The Government of India has an ambitious plan to achieve the target of 175 GW of renewable power by 2022, which includes 100 GW from Solar, 60 GW from Wind, 10 GW from Biomass and 5 GW from Small Hydro Power.
The steps taken by the Government to increase the generation of renewable energy in the country to achieve the target by 2022 include:
? incentives in the form of generation based incentives/subsidies, fiscal incentives such as accelerated depreciation, goods and service tax (GST) at low rates, concessional custom duty, income tax holiday for 10 years and viability gap funding;
? amendments in the Tariff Policy for strong enforcement of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) and for providing Renewable Generation Obligation (RGO);
? setting up of exclusive solar parks;
? development of power transmission network through Green Energy Corridor project;
? repowering policy in order to optimally utilize the wind energy resources;
? identification of large government complexes/ buildings for rooftop projects;
? infrastructure status for solar projects;
? raising tax free solar bonds;
? making roof top solar a part of housing loan by banks;
? raising funds from bilateral and multilateral finance and development institutions;
? training of Surya Mitras for installation and maintenance of the Solar Projects;
? mechanism for scheduling and forecasting in case of inter-state transmission of solar and wind power;
approval and notification of National Offshore Wind Energy Policy for the development of offshore wind energy in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
*******