New Delhi: Gujarat stands at No. 3 position in the country in terms of green electricity generation capacity using non-fossil fuel sources. India’s total new and renewable installed electricity generation capacity stands at 1,56,347.45 MW. The Minister of New & Renewable Energy and Power Shri R.K. Singh provided information in Rajya Sabha on December 14, 2021 while replying to a question raised by MP Parimal Nathwani.

Gujarat’s total installed electricity generation capacity using non-fossil fuel source stands at 17,658.18 MW, which includes 82.69 MW Small Hydro Power, 1990 MW Big Hydro Power, 8952.92 MW Wind Power, 99.88 MW Bio Power, 6092.69 MW Solar Power and 440 MW Nuclear Power.

Gujarat ranks 3rd in terms of installed electricity generation capacity using non-fossil fuel source following Tamil Nadu having 20,366.08 MW and Karnataka having 20,303.49 MW installed electricity generation capacity using non-fossil fuel source.

Shri Nathwani wanted to know about the initiatives taken by the Government to achieve the goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and the details of current generation of non-fossil fuels power capacity in the country as on date.

The minister stated that in accordance with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s announcement at the recently concluded CoP26, the Government is committed towards achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by the year 2030. The Government has taken several steps to promote renewable energy in the country including 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 the projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025, Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity for evacuation of renewable power and declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2022.

He also said that the initiatives to achieve the goal also include Setting up of RE parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers on a plug and play basis, Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PMKUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, etc, Notification of standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/devices and Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments. The Government has also taken initiatives such as Standardising Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects, said the minister.

The Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators, said the minister. According to the statement of the minister, Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) was launched to facilitate procurement of RE power through power exchange in the country. DeshGujarat