(a) the efforts made/steps taken by the Union Government to encourage/promote the States Governments to use solar energy;
(b) the details of the States where electricity is likely to be generated from solar technology;
(c) whether there is a possibility of its transmission in rural areas at low cost and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government is making any efforts in this regard and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER
(SHRI R.K. SINGH)
(a)The Government has taken several measures/steps to promote Renewable Energy, including Solar energy, in the country. These include the following:
• declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2022,
• permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route,
• waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025,
• setting up of solar parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers on a plug and play basis,
• schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, etc,
• laying new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity for evacuation of renewable power,
• notification of standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/devices,
• setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments,
• Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding for procurement of power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects.
• Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators.
• Conducting skill development programmes to create a pool of skilled manpower for setting up, operation and maintenance of RE projects.
(b) The details of State-wise cumulative solar power capacity installed in the country, as on 30.6.2021, are given in Annexure.
(c)&(d) :
• Government has extended ISTS waiver for solar power projects up to 30.06.2025.
• Under the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Scheme, Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS), a total of approx. 8177 ckm of transmission lines have been constructed out of total target of 9700 ckm, and a total of 14808 MVA substations have been charged out of total target of 22600 MVA, as on 30.6.2021. Ministry provides 40% grant for these projects.
• The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) inter alia provides for feeder level solarisation of agricultural feeders wherein central financial support is provided for installation of solar power plants that can cater to the agriculture electricity need of a single or multiple feeders. This will ensure availability of reliable day-time power to farmers for irrigation needs and will also help in reduction of agriculture electricity subsidy being paid by the respective State Governments.
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