(a) whether the country has set an ambitious target of adding 175 GW of energy capacity by 2022 through renewable energy sources;
(b) if so, the facts thereof and the steps being taken in pursuance thereof; and
(c) whether the Union Government is making concerted efforts to push hydel generation as a counter-balance to the massive deployment of renewable capacity such as solar and wind and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) & (b): Yes Madam, The Government has up-scaled the target of renewable energy capacity to 175 GW by the year 2022 which includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from bio-power and 5 GW from small hydro-power. The steps taken by the Government to achieve the target includes:
? Incentives in the forms of generation based incentives/subsidies, fiscal incentives such as accelerated depreciation, concessional customs duty, excise duty exemptions, income tax holiday for 10 years and viability gap funding from NCEF.
? 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;
? 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/NHB;
? incorporating measures in Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) for encouraging distribution companies and making net-metering compulsory
? raising funds from bilateral and international donors as also from the Green Climate Fund to achieve the target. and
? creation of Surya Mitras for installation and maintenance of the Solar Projects.
(c): Yes Madam. The Government is striving to promote Hydro Power Generation to provide adequate peaking reserves and to facilitate reliable grid operation and integration of variable R E sources. Hydro Energy Projects (HEP) with a total capacity of 55,356 MW (43,139 MW commissioned and balance under construction) will help RE integration.
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