Update: Renewable Energy
The #Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has taken several steps to fructify India’s clean energy programme, ranked as the largest renewable capacity expansion in the world.
The core drivers for development and deployment of new and renewable energy in India have been Energy security, Electricity shortages, Energy Access, Climate change etc.
India has added 14.30 GW of renewable energy during the last two and half years under #Grid Connected Renewable Power, which include 5.8 GW from Solar Power, 7.04 GW from Wind Power, 0.53 from Small Hydro Power and 0.93 from Bio-power.
As on 31st October, 2016, 8,727.62 MW of Solar Energy Projects has been installed in the country.
The government is offering incentives for adoption of renewable energy resources, such as generation-based incentives (GBIs), capital and interest subsidies, viability gap funding, concessional finance, fiscal incentives etc.
The National Solar Mission aims to reduce the cost of solar power generation in the country through long-term policy, large scale deployment goals, aggressive R&D and the domestic production of critical raw materials, components and products.
Renewable energy is becoming increasingly cost-competitive as compared to fossil fuel-based generation.
The target is to have 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022 through Solar Park, Solar Defence Scheme, Solar Pump, Solar Rooftop etc, which were launched during the last two years.
MNRE measures include amendments to the Electricity Act and Tariff Policy for strong enforcement of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) and for providing #Renewable Generation Obligation (RGO).
Potential
The increased use of indigenous renewable resources is expected to reduce India’s dependence on expensive import of fossil fuels. India has an estimated renewable energy potential of about 900 GW from commercially exploitable sources viz. Wind – 102 GW (at 80 meter mast height); Small Hydro – 20 GW; Bio-energy – 25 GW; and 750 GW solar power, assuming 3% wasteland
The 175 GW renewable power by the end of 2022, includes 60 GW from wind power, 100 GW from solar power, 10 GW from biomass power and 5 GW from small hydro power.
A target of 16,660 MW grid renewable power (wind 4,000 MW, solar 12,000 MW, small hydro power 250 MW, bio-power 400 MW and waste to power 10 MW), has been set for 2016-17.
Besides, under off-grid renewable system, targets of 15 MW eq. waste to energy, 60 MW eq. biomass non-bagasse cogeneration, 10 MW eq. biomass gasifiers, 1.0 MW eq. small wind/hybrid systems, 100 MW eq. solar photovoltaic systems, 1.0 MW eq. micro hydel and 100,000 nos. family size biogas plants have been set for 2016-17.
India has installed power generation capacity of 307.27 GW as on 31.10.2016 from all resources. With 46.33 GW installed renewable power capacity, the renewable power has a share of about 15% to the total capacity.
Green Power
A total of 7,518 MW of grid-connected power generation capacity from renewable energy sources has been added so far this year (January 2016 to October 2016) in the country.
A total of 7,060 MW of grid-connected power generation capacity from renewable energy sources like solar (3,019 MW) and wind (3,423 MW), Small Hydro Power (218 MW), Bio-Power (400 MW) has been added during 2015-16 in the country against target of 4,460 MW.
During 2016-17, a total 3575 MW capacity has been added till 31.10.2016, making cumulative achievement 46,327 MW.
In 2015-16, 3,423 MW of wind power capacity was added, up 43 per cent on target.
By 31.10.2016, 1,502 MW capacity was added, taking the total to 28,279 MW.
India’s wind power installed capacity ranked fourth in the world after China, USA and Germany.
The ministry has sanctioned 34 Solar Parks of 20,000 MW in 21 states, and Rs. 67.01 crore for preparation of master plans.
It has released Rs.24.16 crore for solar city cells, promotional activities and installation of renewable energy projects under Solar City Programme.
Various departments and ministries have collectively committed to deploying 5,938 MW of rooftop solar power for internal consumption.
International funding agencies have lent US$1.3 billion for solar projects.
Wind
In 2015-16, 3.24 GW wind power capacity was added. The present wind power installed capacity is around 28.28 GW.
India has 20 approved manufacturers with 53 models of wind turbines.
The #National Institute for Wind Energy (NIWE) estimate pontential of 302 GW at 100-meter hub-height.
Online wind atlas is available on NIWE website. This will create new dimension to the wind power development in the country.
The cabinet has cleared the #National Offshore Wind Energy Policy on 6th October 2015.
NIWE is wind resource assessment in these coastal areas, especially along Gujarat and Tamil Nadu where several blocks have been identified.
Comprehensive Guidelines for Development of On-shore Wind Power Projects have been formulated and issued on 22nd October 2016.
Guidelines for “Scheme for Setting up of 1,000 MW Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) – connected Wind Power Projects” was issued on 22nd October 2016.
The Policy for Repowering of the Wind Power Projects was released on 5th August, 2016.
Small Hydro
The Ministry said 14.30 GW of renewable energy has been reported during the last two and half years under Grid Connected Renewable Power, 0.53 GW from Small Hydro Power.
Biomass
Biomass power includes installations from biomass combustion, biomass gasification and bagasse co-generation. During 2016-17, 51 MW of biomass power plants were installed. The target was 400 MW. The cumulative installation was 4882.33 MW.
Family Size Biogas Plants
Family Size Biogas Plants mainly for rural and semi-urban households are under the #National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP).
During 2016-17, 0.26 lakh biogas plants were installed. The target was one lakh plants. The cumulative installation is 49.35 lakh biogas plants.
Off-Grid Solar Applications
In 2015-16, 31,472 Solar Pumps were installed under a 100,000-pump programme.
Amendments in Tariff Policy to promote Renewable Energy
· Enhancement in Solar RPO to 8% by March 2022.
· Introduction of RGO for New coal/lignite based thermal plants after specified date.
· Ensuring affordable renewable power through bundling of renewable power.
· No inter-state transmission charges and losses to be levied for solar and wind power.
#Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) was increased from Rs.1,000 Crore to Rs.6,000 Crore.
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to use 400 hectares of un-cultivable farm land at the Central State Farm (CSF), Jetsar in Sri Ganganagar District, Rajasthan, for setting up of a 200-MW solar Power Plant. The Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will set up the plant.
A Rs.38,000 crore Green Energy Corridor is being set up to ensure evacuation of Renewable Energy.
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has sought a Loan assistance of US$1 billion from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) comprising of Sovereign guaranteed loan of US$500 million and Non-Sovereign loan of US$500 million.
It would fund the following transmission projects including a project under Green Energy Corridor in next 3-4 years:
(i) HVDC Bipole link between Western Region (Raigarh, Chhattisgarh) and Southern Region (Pugalur, Tamil Nadu) – North Trichur (Kerala)- Scheme 1: Raigarh-Pugalur 6000 MW HVDC System.
(ii) HVDC Bipole link between Western Region (Raigarh, Chhattisgarh) and Southern Region (Pugalur, Tamil Nadu) – North Trichur (Kerala)- Scheme 3: Pugalur- Trichur 2000 MW VSC based HVDC System.
(iii) Real Time Measurement/ monitoring scheme.
(iv) Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) associated with Green Energy Corridor as under:
a) Ajmer(New) – Bikaner (New) 765 kV D/c
b) Bikaner(New) – Moga (PG) 765 kV D/c
c) LILO of one circuit of 400kV Bhadla- Bikaner (RVPN) line at Bikaner(New)
d) Establishment of 2×1500 MVA, 765/400 kV S/s at Bikaner (New)
Budget/Loans
The Ministry’s enhanced budget is Rs.9,000 crore, up from Rs.1,500 crore. Bank loans of up to Rs.15 crores will be given for solar based power generators, biomass based power generators, wind power systems, micro-hydel plants and for renewable energy based public utilities viz. street lighting systems, and remote village electrification.
For individual households, the loan limit will be Rs.10 lakh per borrower.
Coal cess has been increased 8 times from Rs.50 to Rs.400/ton in last two years (2014-15) which will make available around Rs.40,000 crore/year for supporting and incentivizing development of Clean Energy projects in the country.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100% is permitted under the automatic route for renewable energy generation and distribution projects subject to provisions of The Electricity Act, 2003.
Various initiatives have been taken by the Government which include:
Ø amendments in the Tariff Policy for strong enforcement of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) and for providing Renewable Generation Obligation (RGO);
Ø setting up of exclusive solar parks;
Ø development of power transmission network through Green Energy Corridor project;
Ø identification of large government complexes/ buildings for rooftop projects;
Ø provision of roof top solar and 10 percent renewable energy as mandatory under Mission Statement and Guidelines for development of smart cities;
Ø amendments in building bye-laws for mandatory provision of roof top solar for new construction or higher FAR;
Ø infrastructure status for solar projects;
Ø raising tax free solar bonds;
Ø making roof top solar a part of housing loan by banks/NHB;
Ø incorporating measures in Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) for encouraging distribution companies and making net-metering compulsory
Ø raising funds from bilateral and international donors as well from the Green Climate Fund. fii-news.com
