By Rusen Kumar
India has set a target to have 30000 MW energy from renewable sources during 12th five year plan period.The Present total installed capacity of renewable energy based power in the India is 26,267 MW. A target of 10,000 MW has been fixed for solar power projects during the plan.
“A capacity addition of 30,000 MW is targeted from renewable energy during the 12th Plan period.”, The Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah informed the Lok Sabha on 30 November 2012.
According to the Minister, the contribution of renewable energy based power generation is likely to be in the range of 6-8% in the total electricity mix of the country and major part of power generation would continue to come from thermal and hydro power.
He further said the Government is implementing the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission (JNNSM), to promote harnessing/utilization of solar energy for power generation and other applications in the country. The Mission envisages installation of 20,000 MW capacities by the year 2022. Solar projects /systems can be installed throughout the country. The places receiving higher direct solar insulation are better suited for installation solar power projects. A target of 10,000 MW has been fixed for solar power projects during the 12th Plan. So far, 1045 MW of solar power projects have been installed in the country.
Power Generation From Biomass
Biomass based power generation projects with a total installed capacity of 3462 MW which includes 86 MW in West Bengal have been set up in the country so far. Five biomass power projects with a total capacity of 1.60 MW are at various stages of commissioning in West Bengal. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is promoting setting up of power generation projects from biomass through various technological routes such as combustion, gasification and cogeneration. Various fiscal and financial incentives such as capital subsidy and fiscal incentives including concessional customs duty on import of machinery and components, excise duty exemption, accelerated depreciation on major components and relief from taxes are being provided for setting up of biomass based power projects. Besides, preferential tariff is being provided for sale of power from biomass power projects.
Potential of Renewable Energy
Government is implementing a project entitled ‘Ladakh Renewable Energy Initiative’ to minimize dependence on diesel in the Ladakh region and meet power requirement through local renewable sources. The approach is to meet power requirements through small / micro hydel and solar photovoltaic power projects /systems and use solar thermal systems for water heating / space heating / cooking requirements. The project envisages setting up of solar power plants in 70 villages and 120 institutions and distribution of solar systems in the region. The project also aims at setting up of 30 small/ mini hydel projects with an aggregate capacity of 23.8 MW. The project is under implementation since 1st June, 2010.
Research for Renewable Sources of Energy
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Solar Energy Centre (SEC) and Delhi Technology University (DTU) signed on 22nd May, 2012 envisages collaborative research through joint supervision of M. Tech and Ph.D these, practical courses at SEC for DTU student in specialized areas of solar energy, joint refresher courses for the industry and organizing conferences symposium & workshop on cutting edge renewable energy technologies. So far SEC has collaborated with DTU in organizing the Second International Symposium on Concentrated Solar Power in June 2012. Onel student of DTU is also pursuing his Ph. D on solar cooling in association with SEC.
Subsidy for Promotion of Renewable Energy
The Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah informed that Remote Village Electrification (RVE) Programme, which was approved up to 31st March 2012, proposals were received from the State identified implementing agencies including Madhya Pradesh for financial support for creation of facilities for lighting/basic electricity through renewable energy sources in those remote unelectrified census villages and unelectrified hamlets of electrified census villages where grid extension was not found feasible by the State Governments and hence were not covered under the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojna. Such proposals were sanctioned once they were complete in all respects and were in conformity with the provisions of the RVE programme. Support had been provided for coverage of 623 remote villages in Madhya Pradesh under the programme.
Under the Programme, Central Financial Assistance of up to 90% of the costs of systems, subject to pre specified maximum amount for each technology, was provided for approved projects to the states.
Awareness about the use of Renewable Energy Systems
Govt has taken several measures to spread awareness about the use of renewable energy systems including solar energy devices. These include
(i) organisation of awareness camps and training programmes through regional rural banks, manufacturers/ suppliers of solar systems and state agencies,
(ii) advertisements in electronic and print media; and
(iii) publication of magazine on renewable energy including special issues on solar energy.
(Inputs from Ministry of New and Renewable Energy)
(Rusen Kumar, Editor, INDIACSR can be reached at rusenk@indiacsr.in)
