YEAR END REVIEW: 2017

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has taken several steps to realize the largest renewable capacity expansion programme in the world, which is being taken up by India. The government is aiming to increase the share of clean energy through massive thrust in renewables. Core drivers for development and deployment of new and renewable energy in India have been energy security, electricity shortages, energy access, climate change, etc.

Here, we present the highlights of the developments in renewable energy sector in India in 2017.

• Government is on its way to achieving 175 GW target for installed renewable energy capacity by 2022
• India attains global 4th and 6th position in global wind and solar power installed capacity
• By November 2017, a total of 62 GW renewable power installed, of which 27 GW installed since May 2014 and 11.79 GW since January 2017
• Historic low tariffs for solar (`2.44/ unit) and wind (`2.64/ unit) achieved through transparent bidding and facilitation 
• Ambitious bidding trajectory for 100 GW capacity of solar energy and 60 GW capacity of wind over the next 3 years laid down.

A capacity addition of 27.07 GW of renewable energy has been reported during the last three and half years under grid connected renewable power, which include 12.87 GW from solar power, 11.70 GW from wind power, 0.59 from small hydro power, and 0.79 from biopower.  As on November 30, 2017, solar energy projects with an aggregate capacity of over 16,611.73 MW including 863.92 MW from solar rooftop projects has been installed in the country.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The details of year-round initiatives and achievements of the MNRE are as follows:

GREEN POWER CAPACITY ADDITION

A total of 11,788 MW of grid-connected power generation capacity from renewable energy sources was added in 2017 (January 2017 to November 2017) in the country.

A total of 11,319.71 MW of gridconnected power generation capacity from renewable energy sources, such as solar (5,502.38 MW) and wind (5,585.98 MW), small hydro power (105.90 MW), bio-power (161.95 MW) has been added during 2016/17 in the country against target of 16,660 MW.  During 2017/18, a total 4,809.51 MW capacity was added till November 30, 2017, making cumulative achievement 62,053.73 MW.

SECTOR-WISE HIGHLIGHTS OF ACHIEVEMENTS 

• Largest ever wind power capacity addition of 5,502.39 MW in 2016/17 exceeding target by 38%. During 2017/18, a total 467.11 MW capacity was added till November 30, 2017, making cumulative achievement 32,746.87 MW. Now, in terms of wind power installed capacity India is globally placed at fourth position after China, USA, and Germany.
• Biggest ever Solar Power capacity addition of 5,525.98 MW in 2017/18. During 2017/18, a total 4,323.1 MW (including 207.92 MW solar rooftop) capacity was added till November 30, 2017, making cumulative achievement 16,611.73 MW (including 863.92 MW solar rooftop).
• So far, 1.42 lakh solar pumps have been installed in the country as on November 30, 2017 including 1.31 lakh during the last three and half years.
• Solar projects of capacity 23,656 MW have been tendered and LoI for 19,340 MW issued.
• A capacity addition of 0.59 GW has been added under grid connected renewable power since the last three and half years from small hydro power plants.
• Biomass power includes installations from biomass combustion, biomass gasification and bagasse co-generation making a cumulative achievement to 8,181.70 MW.
• Family-type biogas plants mainly for rural and semi-urban households are set up under the National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP). During 2017/18, against a target of 1.1 lakh biogas plants, 0.15 lakh biogas plants installations has been achieved making a cumulative achievement to 49.8 lakh biogas plants as on November 30, 2017.

MAJOR INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THE MINISTRY

Solar Power

• Under National Solar Mission, the target for setting up solar capacity increased from 20 GW to 100 GW by 2021/22. Target of 10,000 MW, set for 2017/18 which will take the cumulative capacity over 20 GW till March 31, 2018.
• As on November 30, 2017, 23,656 MW has been tendered out, of which LOI issued for 19,340 MW.
• Capacity of the scheme for ‘Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects’ has been enhanced from 20,000 MW to 40,000 MW. 35 solar parks of aggregate capacity 20,514 MW have been approved in 21 States.
• Kurnool Solar Park in Andhra Pradesh with 1,000 MW capacity has already been commissioned and is operational. With commissioning of 1,000 MW capacity at single location, Kurnool Solar Park has emerged as the World’s Largest Solar Park.
• 650 MW capacity commissioned in Bhadla Phase-II Solar Park in Rajasthan.
• 250 MW capacity commissioned in Phase –I of Neemuch Mandsaur Solar Park (500 MW) in Madhya Pradesh.
• Three new solar parks have been approved in 2017 at Rajasthan (1,000 MW), Gujarat (500 MW) and Mizoram (23 MW) after issue of Guidelines for Enhancement of capacity from 20, 000 MW to 40, 000 MW under Solar Park Scheme.
• Solar tariff has declined to lowest level of `2.44 /kWh. 

Solar Rooftop

The Ministry is implementing GridConnected Rooftop and Small Solar Power Plants Programme which provides for installation of 2,100 MW capacity through CFA/ incentive in the residential, social, Government/PSU, and institutional sectors.

Under the programme, central financial assistance up to 30% of benchmark is being provided for such projects in residential, institutional, and social sectors in General Category States and up to 70% of the benchmark cost in Special Category States. For Government sector, achievement linked incentives are being provided. Subsidy/CFA is not applicable for commercial and industrial establishments in private sector.

• So far (till November 30, 2017), sanctions for 1767 MWp capacity solar rooftop projects has been issued and around 863.92 MWp capacity has been installed.
• All the 36 State / UT ERCs have now notified net/gross metering regulations and/or tariff orders for rooftop solar projects
• Concessional loans of around $1,375 million from World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and New Development Bank (NDB) have been made available to State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Canara Bank for solar rooftop projects.
• Suryamitra programme has been launched for creation of a qualified technical workforce and over 11,000 persons have been trained under the programme.
• An online platform for expediting project, approval, report submission, and monitoring of RTS projects has been created.
• Launched mobile app ARUN (Atal Rooftop Solar User Navigator) for ease of access of beneficiaries for request submission and awareness.

Wind Power

• During the year 2016/17, wind power capacity addition of 5.5 GW was made, which is highest ever wind power capacity addition in the country during a single year.   The present wind power installed capacity in the country is around 32.75 GW. Now, in terms of wind power installed capacity India is globally placed at 4th position after China, USA, and Germany.
• India has a strong manufacturing base of wind power equipment in the country. Presently, there are 20 approved manufacturers with 53 models of wind turbines in the country up to a capacity of 3.00 MW single turbines. Wind turbines being manufactured in India are of international quality standards and cost-wise amongst the lowest in the world being exported to Europe, USA, and other countries.
• The wind power potential of the country has been reassessed by the National Institute for Wind Energy (NIWE), it has been estimated to be 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.

Source: http://pib.nic.in/