Tenders awarded for 4.12 lakh TPA green hydrogen
The National Green Hydrogen Mission, with an approved outlay of Rs.19,744 crore, aims to potentially attracting over Rs.8 lakh crore in investments by 2030 https://mnre.gov.in/en/.
The mission’s target is to reduce fossil fuel imports by Rs.1 lakh crore and cut carbon emissions by 5 MMT by 2030, says the Ministry of New and Renewables Energy (MNRE) in a year-end review on 31 Dec https://www.makeinindia.com/home/.
The Ministry has also highlighted a Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme.
The SIGHT implementation to date:
Tenders awarded to companies for 4.12 lakh TPA green hydrogen production;
Selection of manufacturers for 1,500 MW electrolyser capacity;
The Government Increases Green Ammonia Allocation for Fertilizer Sector from 5.5 lakh tonnes to 7.5 lakh tonnes per annum;
Under SIGHT Scheme (Mode 1 Tranche-II): Under this scheme guidelines by MNRE, this tranche includes a total capacity of 450,000 TPA, with 40,000 TPA reserved for biomass-based pathways;
Guidelines issued for pilot projects in transport sector with Rs.496 crore outlay;
Request For Selection (RfS) issued for selection of Green Ammonia producers for 5.39 lakh MT/year capacity;
New initiatives launched for shipping sector with Rs.115 crore budget;
Guidelines Issued for Green Hydrogen Testing and Infrastructure Support by MNRE for funding testing facilities, infrastructure, and institutional support, with a budget of Rs.200 crore until 2025-26, focusing on establishing a robust quality and testing ecosystem in the GH2 https://sbi.com.in/.
Pilot projects in the steel, shipping and mobility sectors are also in the pipeline, and a Rs.400 crore R&D scheme has been launched to support research in the Green Hydrogen ecosystem.
SOLAR ENERGY
As of November 2024, India’s cumulative installed solar energy capacity has reached 94.17 GW https://www.pmsuryaghar.gov.in/.
Growth Ahead: The country’s total installed and pipeline solar projects combined stand (as on Nov 2024) at 261.15 GW, reflecting a strong pipeline for future growth and expansion in the solar sector https://globalsolaratlas.info/map.
SOLAR PARKS AND BATTERY STORAGE
Lakshadweep’s first on-grid solar plant inaugurated in Kavaratti with 1.7 MW capacity and 1.4 MWh BESS
Commissioned India’s largest Solar-BESS in Rajnandgaon with 40 MW/120 MWh capacity integrated with 152.325 MWh solar plant
SOLAR PV MODULE
As on 30 June 2024, the total installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) power in the country is 85.47 GW http://isolaralliance.org.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, effective from 1 Apr 2023, which apply to solar photovoltaic modules, panels, or cells, with waste storage guidelines set by the Central Pollution Control Board until 2034-35 https://www.climatebonds.net/.
WIND ENERGY
As of November 2024, India’s cumulative wind power capacity stands at 47.96 GW https://www.windenergy-asia.com/en/index.html.
Future Growth: The country’s installed and pipeline wind energy projects (as on Nov 2024) total is 74.44 GW, driving continued progress in renewable energy.
Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, recognizes Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu for leading in wind capacity addition during FY 2023-24.
OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY
SECI has invited bids for development of 4 GW offshore wind energy off Tamil Nadu coast, divided into four blocks of 1 GW each.
Cabinet Approves VGF Scheme for Offshore Wind Projects: Approved a Rs.7,453 crore Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme to set up India’s first offshore wind energy projects. The scheme includes Rs.6,853 crore for 1 GW of offshore wind capacity (500 MW each off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu) and Rs.600 crore for port upgrades to support logistics for these projects.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has explored geothermal energy in 381 areas across India, estimating a potential of 10,600 MW.
Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) commissioned a 20kW pilot geothermal power plant in Manuguru, Telangana.
The MNRE is implementing the “Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme” to advance geothermal energy.
The Ministry of Coal allocated Rs.2.42 crore for the establishment of the 20kW pilot plant in Telangana.
MNRE is implementing the New Solar Power Scheme (for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) Habitations/Villages) under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) to electrify un-electrified PVTG households, identified by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, by providing off-grid solar systems where grid electricity is unavailable and not techno-economically feasible.
Rooftop Solar
Support to Promote New and Renewable Energy: TEDA is solarizing government buildings in Tamil Nadu, including offices, courts, and educational institutions. Tamil Nadu generated 33.17 BU of renewable energy in 2023-24 and 4.62 BU up to May 2024.
BIOENERGY
National Biomass Program
MNRE has revised the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for Pellet manufacturing plants. The CFA for Non-Torrefied Pellet plants is Rs. 21 lakh/MTPH (max Rs. 105 lakh/project), while for Torrefied Pellet plants, it is Rs. 42 lakh/MTPH (max Rs. 210 lakh/project).
Annual Bidding Trajectory
Notification of trajectory for RE power bids of 50 GW/annum to be issued by Renewable Energy Implementation Agencies [REIAs: Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN)] from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28.
“Strategy for Establishments of Offshore Wind Energy Projects” has been issued indicating a bidding trajectory of 37 GW by 2030 and various business models for project development, said MNRE.
To augment transmission infrastructure needed for steep RE trajectory, transmission plan has been prepared till 2030.
Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO)
The Government has announced the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) trajectory up to 2029-30, including separate RPO for Decentralized Renewable Energy, to boost RE consumption https://www.iea.org/.
GREEN ENERGY CORRIDOR Phase II – Inter State Transmission System for 13 GW RE Projects in Ladakh
An Inter-State Transmission System would be set up for power evacuation and grid integration of the 13 GW RE projects in Ladakh and dispatch of power from the U.T. of Ladakh to other parts of the country.
Progress in 2024:
300 acres land acquired at Pang
HVDC tender published; awards expected by March 2025
LIDAR survey initiated for transmission lines
ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER PSUs
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) continued its impressive growth trajectory in 2024, achieving its highest-ever annual performance. The agency sanctioned loans worth Rs.37,354 crores and disbursed Rs.25,089 crores, with a record Profit After Tax of Rs.1,252 crores and a 26.71% growth in its loan book, which reached Rs.59,650 crores. IREDA reduced its Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) to below 1%. Strategic partnerships were forged through MoUs with Indian Overseas Bank and IIT Bhubaneswar, and plans for a retail subsidiary were announced.As of March 31, 2024, IREDA has disbursed a total of Rs.125,917 crores in renewable energy loans, underscoring its pivotal role in financing India’s green energy transition.
IREDA secured International Credit Rating: ‘BBB-‘ long-term and ‘A-3’ short-term credit rating from S&P Global, with a ‘Stable’ outlook. This rating has enhanced IREDA’s global presence, enabling access to international funding and supporting its borrowing plans.
Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI)
SECI Attains Navratna Status: SECI’s cumulative awarded capacity stands at 69.25 GW, with an annual trading volume of over 42 billion units. In FY 2023-24, SECI achieved a consolidated turnover of Rs.13,118.68 crore, up 20.85%, and a PAT of Rs.510.92 crore, reflecting a 34.89% growth. fiinews.com
