India renewable energy framework 2011 – 2017

SOLAR PANELS

India has set a five year renewable energy policy from 2011 – 2016, to meet the aspirations of SMART – which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound targets– for different renewable resources as well as applications.

The SMART briefly points out the goal, period and milestone of the target to be achieved.

Targets for an additional year 2016-17 have been formulated in order attain the goal within the 12th five-year plan period of 2012-17.

From the current energy scenario prevailing in the country, it is evident that each of the targets is fully compatible with national priorities, favoring sectoral preference.

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For the period of 2011-2017, the grid interactive renewable power comes under the highlighted category of SMART target, which comprises power generation from sources including solar, wind, biomass and small hydro power.

Resource-wise targets have been formulated for the period 2011-17, keeping in mind total potential, progress so far, targets set for 11th plan period and corresponding achievements in the first three years and the current year with the general constraint in different sectors.

Total target for biomass production for the 6-year period was 500 MW and for solar for this same period the total target was 4000MW. For wind energy the total target for six year period was 13400 MW and the total of all renewable energy targets from 2011-2017 adds up to 21700 MW.

The cumulative total target for the renewable energy for the period of 2011- 2017 shows a value of 41383 MW.
The funds needed for the 12th plan period based on certain assumptions to achieve the targets are also assessed.

Total fund required for the 6 year period solar target was 8368 crores and for wind energy targets it were 2800 crore. Cumulative fund for other renewable energy sources like biogas, bagasse, U & I energy and SHP may reach 12878 crore.

The Ministry promises that they will make all these important funds available. However, if there are budgetary constraints, they will consider supporting solar power generation, which may include continuation of the current system of purchase through bundling of thermal power. Wind power funds are necessary because of the proposed withdrawal of accelerated depreciation benefit, a major driving factor.

Revenue loss saved from tax concession could be provided as budget surplus. However, through appropriate regulatory instruments and market interventions there would be a consequent reduction in the requirement of funds for GBI in the coming years.

Year-wise targets for deployment of various decentralized systems for off-grid applications for 2011-17 have also been formulated on similar basis. Total target for the 6 year period for family biogas plant was 1.10 million. Total target for number of villages to be covered for remote village electrification was 500 in 6 years. In case of rural electrification the target was 270 villages. For solar thermal water heating the minimum target was 6.6sqm in 6 years. For Industrial WTE/Bio power plants 450 MWeq was the total target.

The report shows reasonable growth proposed year on year. Rural energy supply, rural electrification and rural solar lighting are receiving increasing impetus.

The above given report results reflect the trend of achievements during the preceding years and the annual targets for the current year and the targets for 2011-12 as reflected in the RFD of the Ministry for 2010-11. The targets for 2011-12 further had been set in line with the Annual Plan proposals of the Ministry for 2011-12 and are being incorporated in the Ministry’s RFD for 2011-12.

The government has formulated various strategies for promoting renewable energy technology in India. They will promote small power plants at tail-end of grid for both solar and biomass and develop financial support structures.

Development of entrepreneurship for rural electrification through biomass wastes, rice and husk by enabling loan availability is undertaken. Deployment and movement towards indigenization is incorporated in solar mission.

Improvement of technology for achieving better efficiencies to make them more viable is on. Identifying niche areas to apply RE technologies and reduce consumption of diesel and evolving suitable mechanisms for off-grid deployments is another strategy formulated by the government. Identification of business models to promote adoption of improved cook-stoves with limited government support is another strategy initiative.

Developing new financial instruments including Risk Guarantee Fund and promoting energy plantations to provide feedstock for biomass power plants for captive and local use is another strategy under planning.

The government also targets capacity building and awareness generation in green buildings and demonstration projects like solar-thermal hybrid for small plants, rice straw boilers, pine needles based gasifiers, solar thermal gas hybrids and solar thermal with storage for large plants.

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