Non-fossil fuel sources account for nearly 44% of India’s installed electricity generation capacity
09 Dec 2023
The total installed capacity for generation of electricity using non-fossil fuel energy resources in India stood at 186.46 Giga Watts as of 31 October 2023, accounting for 43.82 per cent of the country’s total power generation capacity.
This was stated in the updated Nationally Determined Contributions submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, union minister for new and renewable energy and power R K Singh informed Parliament on Wednesday.
He said the government is committed to achieving the goal of 50 per cent non-fossil based generating capacity by 2030.
The country’s renewable energy capacity comprises 178.98 GW of green energy, which include sources like wind, solar, biomass etc and 7.48 GW of nuclear power.
In addition, 114.08 GW of capacity is under implementation and 55.13 GW capacity is under tendering, which adds up to a total of 355.67 GW. This would take the country’s renewable power generation capacity way beyond the 50 per cent target.
He said renewable energy programmes and projects are being implemented across all states and union territories in the country and that specific measures have been undertaken to promote development of renewable energy in the country.
As of now 100 per cent foreign direct investment through the automatic route is allowed in the country’s renewable energy sector. The centre has waived inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charges for solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30 June 2025. It has also prescribed minimum share of consumption of non-fossil resources by designated consumers, including Distribution Companies, up to 2029-30,
Government is also promoting Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks, providing land and transmission facilities to RE developers for installation of RE projects.
Besides, schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, are expected to give a fillip to the country’s renewable power programme, he added.