Question : Setting up of Renewable Energy Plants

(a) the details of progress in attaining 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030;
(b) whether the Government has studied the ecological footprints likely to be left by the setting up of large grid-scale wind and solar plants in Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the measures suggested proposed towards minimizing the effects of ecological and social costs of setting up of renewable energy plants in ONEs;
(d) the percentage of roof-top solar installations in 500 GW of targeted renewable energy;
(e) whether the Government proposes to deploy agrivoltaics as a substitute for energy plants in ONEs and if so, the details thereof including percentage of total solar energy expected to be produced through such means by 2030; and
(f) if not, the reasons therefor along with the measures taken by the Government to ensure preservation of ecology and livelihood while establishing renewable energy plants in ONEs?

THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) In accordance with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s announcement at COP26, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is committed to achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

A total of 158.17 GW of non-fossil fuel based capacity ( including RE & Nuclear) has been installed in the country as on 31-12-2021.

(b)&(c) As per information provide by Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Renewable energy projects such as solar power and wind energy projects are not covered under the ambit of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006 and hence do not require prior environment clearance. However, Solar photo Voltaic (PV) Power Projects, Solar Thermal Power plants and Development of Solar Parks shall follow the environmental and statutory stipulations outlined in its OM no J-11013/41/2006-IA.II(I) dated 30th June 2011.

(d) Ministry of New and Renewable energy vide OM No 301/1/2021-Waste to Energy dated 30.12. 2021 has constituted a committee for preparing a roadmap to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel based energy capacity by 2030.

(e) & (f) As solar power projects are not covered under the ambit of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006, the solar PV projects can be installed on ground as well as on stilt structures (agrivoltaics) depending upon the techno-commercial feasibility and site requirements, including in Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs).

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