India has Installed 168.39 GW Renewable Energy Capacity, Informs RK Singh

India seems to be on track to become the next global leader of the green energy transition. The country is progressing well towards achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity installed capacity by 2030.

So far, a total of 175.17 GW capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources have been installed in the country as on 31 January 2023, which includes 168.39 GW renewable energy and 6.78 GW nuclear power. This includes 63.89 GW solar power, 46.85 GW large hydro, 41.98 GW wind power, 10.73 GW bio power and 4.94 GW small hydro power. In addition, 80.15 GW of capacity is under implementation and 34.83 GW is under tendering.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of Power and Renewable Energy R.K. Singh further informed that the government has taken several measures to promote renewable energy in the country such as permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route, waiver of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30 June 2025, declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30 and setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers for installation of RE projects at large scale.

In line with the Prime Minister’s announcement at COP26, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is working towards achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.

As per the information available on the website of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), around 82.21 BU of electricity is generated from solar power projects in the country including Haryana, till January 2023 in the current Financial Year 2022- 23. The minister further informed that the country has witnessed over a 63 percent increase in expenditure for the promotion of solar energy during the last 4 years.

As reported by the Central Electricity Authority, the present installed capacity of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) in the country is 4745.6 MW and another 1500 MW capacity is under active construction.