Question : PROMOTION OF RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY

(a) whether the Government has announced several technology missions to promote the alternative and renewable sources of energy;

(b) if so, the details thereof, mission-wise alongwith the targets for power generation;

(c) whether the Government has also announced that tariff would be fixed for solar power to be pumped in the Grid;

(d) if so, whether the tariff has so far been fixed in this connection; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a),(b),(c),(d)&(e): The Government has approved “Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission”(JNNSM) in November 2009 to give a major boost to development and deployment of solar energy technologies in the country. The Mission aims at creating an enabling policy framework for deployment of 20,000 MW of solar power, 2000 MW off- grid applications, including 20 million solar lighting systems and 20 million sq. solar thermal collector area by 2022, split over three phases.

There will be an interim evaluation of progress, review of capacity and targets for subsequent phases, based on emerging cost and technology trends, both domestic and global.

The Government has approved implementation of the first phase upto March 2013 with target of 1,100 MW of grid connected solar power plants (1,000 MW connected at 33 KV and above and 100 MW roof top and small solar plants connected to LT/11 KV grid), 200 MW capacity equivalent off-grid solar applications and 7 million square metre solar thermal collector area. An amount of Rs.4337 crore has been approved for the proposed first phase activities till March 2013 as per the following details:

# The implementation of the target of 1,000 MW of grid connected (33 KV and above) solar power plants will be through NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), a trading subsidiary of NTPC Limited. NVVN will directly purchase the solar power from the project developers as per the norms and guidelines fixed in this regard.

# 100 MW capacity of solar roof top and small grid connected solar power plants will be connected to LT/11 KV grid of the distribution utility and the solar power will be directly purchased by the distribution utilities as per the norms and guidelines fixed in this regard.

# 200 MW equivalent capacity of off-grid solar applications, both solar thermal and photovoltaic will be implemented through a combination of low interest bearing loans and /or central financial assistance, as per the norms and guidelines fixed in this regard.

In addition, the Mission will support various activities, as considered necessary, on R&D, Human Resource Development, Technical Assistance, training, publicity and awareness etc. for successful implementation of the Mission.