Year End Review - Solar Power Target Reset to One Lakh MW;
Several States Witness Silent Revolution of Rooftop Solar Power Generation;
National Wind Energy Policy Brought in; PM Launches International Solar Alliance ;
56 Solar Cities in the Offing; One Lakh Solar Pumps for Irrigation; Renewable Energy Law to be Enacted
Several States Witness Silent Revolution of Rooftop Solar Power Generation;
National Wind Energy Policy Brought in; PM Launches International Solar Alliance ;
56 Solar Cities in the Offing; One Lakh Solar Pumps for Irrigation; Renewable Energy Law to be Enacted
Year End Review –MNRE
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India is running the largest renewable capacity
expansion programme in the world. The government is aiming to increase share of
clean energy through massive thrust in renewables. The year started with Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s statement “India is graduating from Megawatts to
Gigawatts in Renewable Energy production. The quote itself set up the higher
expectation of clean energy generation in the country. The target of 20,000 Mw
of solar power proposed to be installed in the country has been reset by the
NDA government to achieve five time more at one lakh mw of solar power by
2022. The target, which looked overambitious, now seems to be within the
realms of reality with several States already witnessing silent revolution on
rooftop solar power generation with the launch of net metering in the country.
As on 31.10.2015, cumulative capacity of about 38 GW of grid-interactive
renewable energy capacity has been installed in the country. Confident by the
growth rate in clean energy sector, the Government of India in its submission
to the United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change on Intended
Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) has stated that India will achieve
40% cumulative Electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy
resources by 2030 with the help of transfer of technology and low cost
International Finance including from Green Climate Fund.
The Centre has taken several
initiatives to increase the uptake of renewable energy through policy
initiatives including enactment of a National off shore Wind Energy Policy and throwing support behind
generation-based incentives and accelerated depreciation.
Besides the ongoing policies and programmes of
the Government in Renewable Energy sector, several policy measures initiated
recently by the Government to achieve this up-scaled target, inter-alia,
include suitable amendments to the Electricity Act and Tariff Policy for strong
enforcement of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) and for providing Renewable
Generation Obligation (RGO); setting up of exclusive solar parks; development
of power transmission network through Green Energy Corridor project;
identification of large government complexes/ buildings for rooftop projects;
provision of roof top solar and 10 percent renewable energy as mandatory under
Mission Statement and Guidelines for development of smart cities; amendments in
building bye-laws for mandatory provision of roof top solar for new
construction or higher FAR; infrastructure status for solar projects; raising
tax free solar bonds; providing long tenor loans; making roof top solar a part
of housing loan by banks/ NHB; incorporating measures in Integrated Power
Development Scheme (IPDS) for encouraging distribution companies and making
net-metering compulsory and raising funds from bilateral and international
donors as also the Green Climate Fund to achieve the target.
The details of year round
achievements of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy are as follows:
UPSCALING OF RE TARGETS:
The Government has up-scaled the target of renewable energy
capacity to 175 GW by the year 2022 which includes 100 GW from solar, 60
GW from wind, 10 GW from bio-power and 5 GW from small hydro-power. Stepping
up capacity target under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
(JNNSM) by five times now India is aiming to generate reaching 1,00,000 MW
solar power by by 2022. The target will principally comprise of 40 GW Rooftop
and 60 GW through Large and Medium Scale Grid Connected Solar Power Projects.
With this ambitious target, India will become one of the largest Green Energy
producers in the world, surpassing several developed countries. The total
investment in setting up 100 GW will be around Rs. 6,00,000 crore.
GREEN POWER CAPACITY INCREASED:
A total of 2,311.88 MW of grid-connected power generation
capacity from renewable energy sources like solar and wind has been added so
far this fiscal in the country. The government has set a target of 4,460 MW of
power generation capacity addition this fiscal from renewable energy sources,
including solar, wind and small-hydro. During the first seven months of the
fiscal, 827.22 MW of solar power generation capacity was added, taking the
cumulative electricity generation capacity from the source to 4,579.24 MW. The
Centre is aiming to add 1,400 MW solar power generation capacity during this
fiscal. Similarly, 1,234.11 MW wind power generation capacity was added during
the period, taking cumulative electricity generation capacity from this
renewable source to 24,677.72 MW. The government has set a target of adding
2,400 MW of wind power generation capacity in 2015-16. Under the small-hydro
category, 106.55 MW generation capacity was added till October, taking the
total generation capacity in this segment to 4161.90 MW. The Centre has set a
target of adding 250 MW of small-hydro power generation capacity this fiscal.
In the bio-power (biomass & gasification and biogases cogeneration)
segment, 132 MW of generation capacity was added till October end this fiscal,
taking the total capacity to 4550.55 MW in this segment. The government has set
a target of adding 400 MW capacity from these sources. In waste-to-power
segment, 12 MW capacity has been created till October compared to a target of
10 MW for the entire 2015-16. Now, India has 127.08 MW of power generation
capacity under this category. The country's total grid-connected power generation
capacity from all the above mentioned renewable sources was 3,8096.49 MW at the
end of October. The physical progress of achieving these targets is as
follows:
Scheme wise Physical Progress in
2015-16 (During the month of October 2015)
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Sector
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FY 2015-16
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Cumulative
Achievements
(as on 31.10.2015)
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Target
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Achievement
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I.
Grid Interactive Power (Capacities in MW)
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Wind Power
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2400.00
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1234.11
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24677.72
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Solar Power
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1400.00
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827.22
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4579.24
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Small Hydro Power
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250.00
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106.55
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4161.90
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Bio Power
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400.00
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132.00
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4550.55
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Waste to Power
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10.00
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12.00
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127.08
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Total
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4460.00
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2311.88
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38096.49
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II.
Off Grid Captive Power (Capacities in MWEQ)
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Waste to Energy
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10.00
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0.50
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146.51
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Biomass Cogeneration
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60.00
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10.50
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602.37
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Biomass Gasifies
-Rural
-Industrial
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2.00
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0.20
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18.51
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6.00
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8.67
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160.72
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Aero-Generators/Hybrid System
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0.50
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46.50
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280.85
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Water Mills/Micro hydel
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2.00
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0.00
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7.21
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Total
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130.50
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66.50
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1228.48
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III.
Other Renewable Energy System
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Family Biogas Plants (Numbers in
lakhs)
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1.10
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0.15
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48.28
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Solar Water Heating- Coll. Areas
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-
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0.00
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8.90
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REINVEST 2015:
First Renewable Energy Global Investment
Promotion Meet & Expo (RE - INVEST) was organised with the intent of providing a platform to
the global investment community to connect with stakeholders in India. The
Central Theme of REINVEST 2015 is to increase growth of renewable energy and
energy efficiency in the country. The Meet showcased the Government’s
commitment in the development and scaling up of renewable energy in a socially,
economically and ecologically sustainable manner to meet the national energy
requirement. 118 exhibitors, 200 global investors and financers 202 speakers
and 2500 delegates from 32 countries have participated in the event. The
objective of World’s largest renewable energy financing meet is to showcase
India as an investment destination for renewable energy and to encourage
investors for setting up projects and manufacturing facilities of Renewable
Energy equipment & products in India. The Ministry received total of
2,73,000 MW green commitments including 62,000 MW of renewable manufacturing in
the event. On the occasion, 14 banks and financial institutions, 8 PSUs and
private manufacturers, 15 private sector companies gave 70,000 MW of renewable
finance Commitments.
INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE:
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched an
International Solar Alliance (ISA) at the CoP21 Climate Conference in Paris on
30th November as a special platform for mutual cooperation among 121
solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between Tropic of Cancer
and Tropic of Capricorn. The alliance is dedicated to address special energy
needs of ISA member countries. The new body of Secretariat will be hosted by
Government of India. The Centre will provide land and $30 million to form a
secretariat for the Alliance, and also support it for five years. The
participants, mostly in Latin America and Africa but also including the US,
China, and France, would work together to increase solar capacity across
emerging markets.
LOWEST SOLAR TARIFFS:
In an e-reverse auction conducted by NTPC on
03.11.2015 for 500 MW (10 projects of 50 MW each) to be set up at Ghani Solar
Park in Andhra Pradesh under National Solar Mission, Phase-II, Batch-II,
Tranche-I of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Govt. of India, NTPC received
the lowest tariff of Rs. 4.63 per unit of electricity. Total 30 bids were
received totaling to 5500 MW capacity.
INTRA STATE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM:
In July 2015, the Cabinet has approved the
creation of an intra state transmission system in the States of Andhra Pradesh,
Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan
at an estimated cost of Rs 8548.68 crore with Government of India contribution
from National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) of Rs 3419.47 crore (40 percent of the total
estimated cost of project). The activities envisaged under the project
includes establishment of 48 new Grid sub-stations of different voltage levels
with total transformation capacity around 17100 MVA (Mega Volt Ampere) by
installing over 7800 ckt-kms (Circuit Kilometers) of transmission lines in
these seven states. The project is proposed to be completed within a period of
three to five years. The cost on creating intra-state transmission system
is proposed to be met through KfW loan (40 percent of the total cost), NCEF
grant (40 percent of the total cost) and the remaining 20 percent as State
contribution. These States are rich in renewable resource potential and
large capacity renewable power projects are planned there. Creation of an intra
state transmission system will facilitate evacuation of renewable power from
generation stations to load centres.
SOALR CITIES:
The Ministry has approved 56 solar cities projects against the
target of 60 solar cities under the Development of Solar Cities Programme. The
Government has also approved a Scheme for setting up of 25 Solar Parks, each
with the capacity of 500 MW and above and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects to be
developed in next 5 years in various States and will require Central Government
financial support of Rs 4050 crore. These parks will be able to accommodate
over 20,000 MW of solar power projects. As on date, 27 parks with capacity
of about 18000 MW in 21 states have been sanctioned.
SOLAR PROJECTS UNDER NATIONAL SOLAR
MISSION:
The Union Cabinet gave its approval for the implementation of the
scheme for setting up of 15,000 MW of Grid-connected Solar PV Power projects
under the National Solar Mission through NTPC/ NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam
Limited (NVVN) in three tranches namely, 3000 MW under Tranche-l under
mechanism of Bundling with Unallocated Coal based Thermal Power and fixed
levellised tariffs, 5,000 MW under Tranche-ll with some support from Government
to be decided after getting some experience while implementing Tranche-l and
balance 7,000 MW under Tranche-Ill without any financial support from the
Government. Successful completion of additional 15,000 MW capacity of
Grid-connected solar PV power generation projects, mainly in the private
sector, with largely private investment, under the National Solar Mission would
accelerate the process of achieving grid tariff parity for solar power and also
help reduce consumption of kerosene and diesel, which is presently in use to
meet the unmet demand.
The Government approved Solar
Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to apply to the Registrar of Companies
for converting it into a Section 3 company and renaming it as the Renewable
Energy Corporation of India (RECI). After this, SECI will become a
self-sustaining and self-generating organization. It will engage itself in
owning solar power plants generating and selling power and in other segments of
solar sector activities, including manufacturing of solar products and
materials. RECI will take up development of all segments of renewable energy
namely, geo-thermal, off-shore wind, tidal etc. apart from solar energy.
RE PROJECTS IN
PRIORITY SECTOR LENDING:
In a communication to all central government ministries and
departments, PSUs and organizations, state governments, educational
institutions, the Ministry said the price of solar power has fallen drastically
in the last two to three years and it is economical to generate the power
through grid connected solar roof top systems for consumers in states where
tariff is more than Rs 7 per unit. Pay back time is about 5-6 years and the
life of plant is 25 years. The letter said that the incentive include 15%
government subsidy for selected categories, accelerated depreciation benefits
for industrial and commercial buildings besides a slew of incentives.
SOLAR PUMPS:
The government has implemented a scheme to install one
lakh solar pumps for irrigation and drinking water through
State Nodal Agencies and NABARD. These pumps helped
lakhs of farmers to increase output, income and also provide drinking water.
According to estimates, drinking water problems will be solved for more than
7.6 lakh families through solar pumps for drinking water. MNRE provides 30% capital subsidy to farmers for installation of
solar pumps for irrigation purpose through state nodal agencies. The state
governments can give additional subsidy through own funds. The government
presented 40% subsidy with mandatory loan to farmers for irrigation purpose
through NABARD. The ministry has issued supplementary guidelines for 1,00,000
solar pumps during 2014-15 and Rs 353.50 crore was released to various agencies.
UNNAT CHULHA ABHIYAAN:
The Unnat Chulha Abhiyan envisages developing
and promoting deployment of efficient and cost effective improved biomass
cook-stoves in the country. The programme involves demonstration of the various
models of biomass cook-stoves both natural and forced draft types for domestic
and large scale community cooking on cost sharing basis. The programme aims at
providing improved cook stoves for clean cooking thus saving lives of thousands
of people in the country. 3.5 lakh cook stoves have been sanction under the
scheme last year.
OTHER SCHEMES LAUNCHED FOR
ACHIEVING SOLAR ENERGY TARGETS:
Ø
Off-grid Rooftop: It is proposed to set up 40 GW solar rooftop programmes where grid
connectivity is already exist. 15% Government subsidy for non-commercial and
non-industrial categories for using domestic solar panels would be provided.
Ø
Solar Parks: The Government has approved on 10th December, 2014 a Scheme for
setting up of 25 Solar Parks, each with the capacity of 500 MW and above and
Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects to be developed in next 5 years in various
States and will require Central Government financial support of Rs 4050 crore.
These parks will be able to accommodate over 20,000 MW of solar power projects.
As on date, 27 parks with capacity of about 18000 MW in 21 states have been
sanctioned.
Ø
Setting up of over 300 MW of
Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects by Defence establishments and Para
Military Forces with viability gap funding. More than 150 MW projects have
been sanctioned under the scheme.
Ø
Implementation of Scheme for setting
up 1000 MW of Grid Connected Solar PV Power projects by CPSUs and GOI
organization’s with Viability Gap Funding in
three years period from 2015-16 to 2017-18. About 100 MW have been allocated to
various CPSUs under the scheme.
Ø
Scheme for Development of Grid
Connected Solar PV Power Plants on Canal Banks and Canal Tops: MNRE launched a
Scheme for Development of Grid Connected Solar PV Power Plants on Canal Banks
and Canal Tops in the country during the 12th Plan period at an estimated cost
of Rs. 975 crore and with Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of Rs. 228 crore.
The Solar PV Power Plants on Canal Banks and Canal Tops with 50 MW capacities
under each category have been approved to 8 States (Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and West Bengal).
Ø
Scheme for Decentralized Generation
of Solar Energy Projects by Unemployed Youths & Farmers. It is expected that about 10 GW solar projects would be setup.
Innovative Financing of such projects could be possible as equity is being put
up by the state, local bodies and entrepreneurs.
Ø
New loan scheme to promote rooftop
solar power projects announced by IREDA. The scheme will provide loans at
interest rates between 9.9 and 10.75 percent to system aggregators and
developers.
Ø
Surya Mitra Scheme launched for creating 50,000 trained personnel within a period of 5
years (2015-16 to 2019-20). The course content has been approved by the
National Council of Vocational Training as per the National Skill,
Qualification Framework. As on 30.9.2015, a total of 27 programmes involving Rs
17 crore have been sanctioned to SNAs by NISE. In 2015-16, 70 programmes will
be conducted against which 27 programmes have started. As on 30.9.2015, about
360 Surya Mitras were trained under the scheme
POLICY INITIATIVES
Ø
National Offshore Wind Energy
Policy, 2015 : Under this Policy, the Ministry
of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been authorized as the Nodal Ministry
for use of offshore areas within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the
country and the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has been authorized as
the Nodal Agency for development of offshore wind energy in the country and to
carry out allocation of offshore wind energy blocks, coordination and allied
functions with related ministries and agencies. It would pave the way for
offshore wind energy development including, setting up of offshore wind power
projects and research and development activities, in waters, in or adjacent to
the country, up to the seaward distance of 200 Nautical Miles (EEZ of the
country) from the base line. The policy will provide a level playing field to
all investors/beneficiaries, domestic and international. It is planned to set
up the first offshore wind power project off the Gujarat coast soon.
Ø
Wind Atlas, 2015 Launched: A wind
Atlas having information at 100 m height has been launched. It’s a GIS based
software tool which will help not only the developers but also policy planners.
Ø
Restoration of Accelerated
Depreciation Benefits for Wind Power Projects: After significant harm was done to the wind sector due to
withdrawal of AD with effect from 1.4.2012, it has been restored on 18.7.2014.
This decision of the Government will help in creating a robust manufacturing
base for wind turbines in the country.
Ø
Establishment of PACE Setter Fund: U.S. and India have signed a MoU to establish PACE Setter Funds
with a contribution of US$ 4 million (INR 25 crores) from each side for
providing grants for seed capital for innovative clean energy projects. The
PACE Setter Funds has been formally launched on 19th August, 2015 in New Delhi.
Ø
State Electricity Regulatory
Commissions (SERCs) of twenty States have notified regulatory framework on
net-metering and feed-in-tariff to encourage rooftop solar plants.
Ø
Inclusion of Renewable Energy
Projects in Priority Sector Lending Norms of Commercial Banks: Reserve Bank of India vide its circular dated 23rd
April, 2015 on ‘Priority Sector Lending: Targets and Classification’ has issued
revised guidelines for all scheduled commercial banks making significant
inroads for renewable energy in the priority sector lending:
Ø
Inclusion of renewable energy in
categories of priority sector, in addition
to existing categories.
Ø
Bank loans up to a limit of Rs 15
crore to borrowers for purposes like solar based power generators, biomass
based power generators, wind mills, micro-hydel plants and for non-conventional
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.
Ø
Investments in RE is on Automatic
route. No RBI/FIPB approval required.
Ø
Automatic approval for up to 74%
foreign equity participation in a JV. Liberalized foreign investment approval
regime. 100% foreign investment as equity is permissible with the approval of
Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). Various chambers of commerce and
industry associations offer guidance on partners
Ø
PPAs have been standardized for
projects under JNNSM.
Ø
Land procurement- Many states have
provided deemed Non Agricultural status for land purchased for RE projects.
Ø
Clean Energy Fund: Coal Cess has
been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 200/ton which will make available around Rs 12000
crore/year for supporting and incentivizing development of RE in the country.
Ø
Enforcement of Renewable Purchase
Obligations has been strengthened by recent judgement of Supreme Court for
captive power generators and Appellate Tribunal Judgement on fulfilment of RPO
obligation by State regulators.
Ø
Net-metering schemes has been rolled
out in majority of States which will help in meeting 40 GW rooftop grid
connected solar projects.
Ø
Must Run Status for RE projects in
most of the states
Ø
Fiscal incentives in the form of
Accelerated Depreciation for wind and solar by Central Govt. and refund of
stamp duty, refund on Value Added Tax (VAT) & Goods and Service tax (GST)
by some State Govts.
POLICY AMENDMENTS UNDERWAY:
Ø
National Wind Energy Mission
(Proposed): Initiated the process of
establishing National Wind Energy Mission. The setting up of a Mission would
help in (a) achieving the targets of 12th Plan and energy generation from
renewable energy as set under NAPCC, and (b) addressing the issues and
challenges which the wind sector is faced with, such as precise resource
assessment, effective grid integration, improvement in technology and
manufacturing base, to maintain its comparative advantage in the wind sector.
Ø
Renewable Generation Obligation
(Proposed): There is a policy proposal under consideration that all conventional power plants should have a minimum renewable
generation obligation.
Ø
Amendment in Electricity Act, 2003 (proposed)
·
Proposed inclusion of “specific
mention of penal provisions for non-compliance of RPO including financial
penalty and punishment”.
·
Suggested amendment in the tariff
policy to include a RPO trajectory reaching at minimum 15 % of the total
electricity mix by March 2019 with solar RPO of Minimum 8% and support by
states. It implies that there is a special category for solar RPO and other
renewable energy sources have been clubbed in non-solar category.
·
To allow generating / purchasing and
bundling of renewable and allow pass through to such power plants where
generation and transmission assets are fully depreciated.
Ø
Draft RE Act 2015: In addition to the existing provisions in the above act. there
is a need for a Renewable energy act in India to facilitate increase in the use
of renewable energy for all relevant applications including off-grid, heat and
transport in an effective and coordinated manner, which is well integrated
with the energy and electricity system, and to do so by developing a
supportive ecosystem, laying down an institutional structure, and by creating
framework for transparent and effective incentive structure. In the given
context, increasing the share of RE in the energy mix will require
enabling policies to stimulate changes not only in policies related to
RE deployment but also in policies related to the planning of the
complete energy system. The mandatory provisions after the enactment of
Renewable energy Law will provide the requisite backbone framework to facilitate
increase in the use of renewable energy.
OTHER INITIATIVES :
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT:
The Minister is seeking cooperation from other countries both on
technical and financial side to promote the generation of power from renewable
energy sources. On technical side, National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) is
collaborating with premium institutions/ laboratories of USA, Japan and Germany
in the fields of performance evaluation, long term operational reliability and
indoor-performance testing of different technology modules. Similarly, National
Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) in collaboration with specialized institutions
of Denmark; USA, Spain and Germany is working in the areas of wind forecasting,
offshore wind, aero-structural design, training on testing inter-laboratory
comparisons etc. On the financial side, Indian Renewable Energy Development
Agency (IREDA) is also operating Line of Credits from various Bilateral/
Multilateral institutions for further extending the credit to viable renewable
energy projects in the country.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and France
on 10th April, 2015 to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional
relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on the
new and renewable energy issues, on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and
reciprocity. Another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Renewable Energy
Cooperation was signed between India and Seychelles in March, 2015, to
strengthen, promote and develop renewable energy cooperation between the two
countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. The MoU will also
help in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the
field of renewable energy. U.S. and India have signed a MoU to establish
PACE Setter Funds with a contribution of US$ 4 million (INR 25 crores) from
each side for providing grants for seed capital for innovative clean energy
projects. The PACE Setter Funds has been formally launched on 19th August, 2015
in New Delhi.
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