Question : Production of Solar Energy

(a) whether the target of 500 GW set for power generation from the new and renewable energy sector is achievable by 2030 to make our country a global leader in power production;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether our country‘s location makes us potential generators of highest Solar Energy in the world in the next ten years;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) the measures or steps taken by the Government to make our country a global leader in the field of Solar Energy production in near future;
(f) whether local entrepreneurs are encouraged to uphold the new beginning of ‘vocal for local‘ concept in the said sector; and
(g) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a)&(b) 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 152.90 GW of renewable energy capacity projects (including large hydro) have been installed in the country as on 28-2-2022. In addition 72.61 GW of RE capacity is under installation.

(c) & (d) A total of 748.99 GW of solar energy potential has been estimated in the country.

(e) The Government has taken several steps to promote renewable energy including solar energy in the country. These include :
• 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,
• declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2022,
• setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy 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 of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power,
• setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments,
• Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process 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.

(f)&(g) In order to incentivize domestic manufacturing of Renewable Energy systems, the Government has taken a number of steps, including:
Solar Energy:

(i) Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) Scheme of Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
(ii) Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules.
(iii) Preference to ‘Make in India’ in Public Procurement in Renewable Energy Sector.
(iv) Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) under schemes such as CPSU Phase-II, PM-KUSUM, Solar Rooftop Phase-II, etc.
(v) Imposition of Basic Customs Duty on import of solar PV cells & modules.
(vi) Discontinuation of Customs Duty Concession benefits.

Wind Energy:

(vii). Government have put in place a system of Revised List of Models and Manufacturers, and only equipment manufactured by manufacturers in the list is allowed to be used for Wind Energy Projects. It also mandates that Hub and Nacelle assembly/manufacturing facility shall be in India. More than 70 percent of the wind equipment is manufactured in India.

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