Union Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy, Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Bhagwan Khuba chaired the review meeting with States/UTs on the progress of Renewable Energy Schemes and Capacities in New Delhi yesterday. Shri B. S. Bhalla, Secretary, MNRE and Shri Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power were also present on the occasion. Principal Secretaries (Energy) /Secretaries of Power & New & Renewable Energy from States/UTs besides senior officials from CEA, Power Grid Cooperation, Power Finance Cooperation, Rural Electrification Corporation, CTU, Grid Controller of India, Ministry of Power and MNRE attended the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Bhagwan Khuba highlighted that the energy sector plays a major role in deciding the future of India. The Ministry of Power & Ministry of New & Renewable Energy is working in unison on a number of initiatives, including increasing the domestic manufacturing of Solar PV Modules and increasing the transmission capacity. He also stressed that our actions should be to protect our environment & natural resources for future generations. Further, the Hon’ble Minister of State emphasized on the vision laid by our Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi through the Panchamrit 5 nectar principles.
Shri B. S. Bhalla, Secretary, MNRE said that an RE capacity of 172 GW has already been installed and close to 129 GW is either under implementation or has been tendered. Thus, the total installed capacity would be 301 GW, which leaves approximately 200 GW capacity to be added in order to achieve the target of 500 GW capacity from non-fossil fuels. The role of States becomes critical and they have to facilitate the installation of renewable energy plants by providing infrastructure such as land, water, and other amenities, law and order for the safety of personnel and plants, issuing conducive policies and regulations etc.
Shri Alok Kumar, Secretary, of the Ministry of Power said that the energy transition is a given reality and we have been discussing it in G20 meetings as well primarily due to climate change impact, energy security and reducing our import dependence. He said that the Power Ministry is working on adding transmission capacity for evacuating 500 GW of power, enhancing the storage capacity through Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) and Battery Storage, market development for procurement of power through market-based instruments, and integrating the RE Plan with Resource Adequacy Plans.
The status of progress under the schemes/programmes such as Solar Parks Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme, Rooftop Solar Programme, Green Energy Corridor, National Bioenergy Programme and National Green Hydrogen Mission was reviewed in detail in the all-day meeting. The issues & challenges of the implementation of these programmes were deliberated & various measures suggested by states were discussed. The states were further requested to expedite the implementation of all RE schemes in a time-bound manner to achieve the RE 2030 target.
Disclaimer: This is an official press release by pib.