Question : Impact of Renewable Energy on National Power Grid

(a) the current share of renewable energy in the total power production in the country;
(b) whether the increasing share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix has significant implications for the national grid;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the measures undertaken to deal with the same;
(d) whether transmission projects would be up for bids during this financial year in order to boost capacity of transmission of renewable energy;
(e) if so, the details thereof;
(f) whether a committee has been formed to assess the impact of GST on the power sector; and
(g) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): As on 30-06-2017, a total of 58.30 GW of renewable energy capacity has been installed in the country which is 17.65% of the total power (330.26 GW) installed capacity through all the sources.

(b) & (c): Large scale integration of renewable energy into the grid will be challenging due to intermittent nature of wind and solar energy. To meet such a challenge, following steps are being taken:
• Development of Green Energy Corridors.
• Notification of Forecasting and Scheduling of Regulations by CERC and SERCs.
• Amendment of Regulations for Technical Standards for Grid Connectivity.
• Development of Renewable Energy Management Centres.
• Installation of Availability Based Tariff meters.

(d) & (e): The details of the bids put up by various states for Intra-State transmission work under Green Energy Corridor scheme during 2017-18 are given in Annexure.

(f) & (g): Yes Madam. A Core Committee under the Chairmanship of Special Secretary, Ministry of Power had been constituted vide order No.10/5/2016-P&P dated 24.08.2016 to evaluate the impact of GST on Power Sector. The other members of the Committee had been drawn from CEA, NTPC, PGCIL, NHPC, PFC, GUVNL, Tata Power and Sterlite Power. The Terms of Reference of the Committee are as follows:
i. To analyze the likely effect of GST separately for the generation, transmission and distribution sector.
ii. To analyze the benefits which are likely to accrue to the ultimate consumers in case the power sector is included in the GST.
iii. To suggest a tax rate under GST which would leave the power sector revenue neutral.
iv. To suggest a time frame by when the power sector could be included in the GST.

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