Question : VARIOUS PROGRAMME FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR ENERGY

(a) the details of programmes/ schemes for generating solar power in the country along with targets set and achievements made. State/ UT-wise including Mahrashtra and Chhattisgarh;

(b) the details of funds allocated and utilised for the purpose during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise along with its cost per unit as compared to other sources of energy;

(c) whether the Government intends to promote private participation in setting-up solar plant in the country particularly in tribal areas, if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of incentive given to the State/Private investors to take up renewable energy generation initiatives particularly in tribal and hilly areas in the country; and

(e) the steps being taken by the Government for making the country self reliant in the field of solar power generation?

MINISTER FOR NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a):The Government is implementing the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) that was launched in Jan 2010 to promote, inter-alia, grid-connected solar power generation projects in the country with the following targets for different phases :

# Phase-I (2010-13) : 1100 MW

# Phase-II (2013-17) : 4000-10,000 MW

# Phase-III (2017-22) : 20,000 MW

State/UT-wise targets have not been fixed under the JNNSM. State/UT-wise details of achievements, including in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, as on 28th February 2013 are furnished in Annexure.

(b):The solar power projects have been set-up in mainly private sector with largely private investment and no funds have been allocated under the JNNSM towards expenditure on their installation.

The cost of generation of solar power was around Rs.18/unit when the JNNSM was launched and has since declined gradually. It is presently in the range of Rs.7-12/ unit depending on the project capacity, technology selected and other site specific factors. It is still on higher side as compared to that from conventional energy sources as well as other renewable energy sources like wind, biomass and small hydro.

(c):As mentioned in reply to part (a) above, the solar power projects are being promoted mainly in the private sector. The developers are free to set-up these projects at any location of their choice including in tribal areas, not excluded by the land use policy regulations or statutory restrictions.

(d):The incentives being provided to attract private investment in setting-up of renewable power generation projects in the country, including in tribal and hilly areas, include mainly capital subsidy/generation based incentives, preferential tariffs, accelerated depreciation and concessional/ nil customs and excise duties. These incentives vary depending upon capacity and category of the projects.

(e):Under JNNSM focus is being laid on besides deployment, creation of favorable conditions for developing solar manufacturing capability and increased R&D and capacity building activities in the country. The same is expected to make the country gradually self-reliant in the field of solar power generation.