In accordance with the report by Mercom Communications India, the solar capacity of India was decreased in Q2 FY21(July to September) as it added just 438 megawatt (MW) solar capacity, a down of 80% from 2,177 MW the same period in 2019. As of September 30, 2020, India’s total solar installed capacity was at 37.4 Gigawatt (GW).
- In Q1 FY21 (April to June), 205 MW solar capacity was added.
- According to the report, India still has a robust large-scale solar project development pipeline of 44.7 GW, with another 34.6 GW of projects tendered and pending auction at the end of third quarter of 2020.
About Mercom Communications India:
Mercom Communications India is a subsidiary of global clean energy communications and consulting firm Mercom Capital Group.
Managing Director– Priya Sanjay
Headquarter– Bengaluru, Karnataka
MNRE proposes wind-solar hybrid park scheme in states
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has proposed the “Development of Wind Parks/Wind-Solar Hybrid Park” scheme with proper infrastructure including evacuation facilities in place. It aims to address the issues faced by renewable energy projects, in particular wind energy projects.
- As part of the same, states will prepare the necessary infrastructure for wind power project developers under the plug- and-play model (availability of land, transmission, necessary infrastructure and necessary approvals).
- The ministry has sought comments and feedback before November 28, 2020 for this scheme.
Key Points:
–The sites for the parks have been identified in 7 states with the help of National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE). The states are Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
–If the site is found to be suitable, the park developer may consider developing a wind-solar hybrid park.
–The projects will be installed for a capacity of 53,495 MW (5 MW per sq km). The capacity of each park should be 500 MW and more. Parks with lower capacity may also be developed but in any case the capacity of each park should not be less than 50 MW.
–MNRE will provide financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh per park to the developer for Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) preparation and Rs 30 lakh per MW or 30% of the park development cost to park developer, whichever is lower.
Point to be noted:
–As of now, Wind plants comprise about 43% of the total installed renewable energy capacity of 89 GW.
–Annual wind capacity addition has slowed down from 3.4 GW in FY16 to 2.1 GW in FY20.
–The total installed power generation capacity of India is 373 GW, of which 62% are thermal power plants.
Recent Related News:
i.AAI achieved a major feat on October 2, 2020, by converting the Union Territory of Puducherry’s airport into its first entirely solar-powered airport in the country i.e. “absolutely power-neutral” airport with the commissioning of 500KWp (kilowatts peak) ground-mounted solar power plant at a cost of Rs 2.8 crore.
ii.On October 6, 2020 NITI Aayog, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Invest India jointly organized a Global Symposium ‘India PV Edge 2020’ virtually. It was organized to inform global Photovoltaics (PV) about opportunities in India.
About Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE):
Minister of State (MoS)-Independent Charge (I/C)– Raj Kumar Singh
Headquarter– New Delhi
