Lok Sabha Question No. 1956 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Use of Renewable Energy Sources
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao, Debasree Chaudhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1956

ANSWERED ON 09.12.2021

## USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

## 1956. SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN MS. DEBASREE CHAUDHURI

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Union Government proposes to increase the use of renewable energy sources in public sector power generation units like NTPC and NHPC and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the target set with respect to total investment, employment opportunities and power generation in this regard;
- (c) the difficulties being faced in terms of enhancing the level of power generation in the sectors in which NTPC/ NHPC have attained the expertise in power generation by using required resources;
- (d) whether the potential of power generation from these resources has been declined; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) The Government, through Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, is already implementing a scheme,  viz.  CPSU  Scheme  Phase-II  (Government  Producer  Scheme),  for  setting  up  of  solar photovoltaic  (PV)  power  projects  by  Government  producers  including  Central  Public  Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) like NTPC Limited and NHPC Limited. In this scheme, Viability Gap Funding  (VGF)  support  is  provided  to  Government  producers,  including  CPSUs  like  NTPC Limited  and  NHPC  Limited,  for  setting  up  of  solar  PV  power  projects  using  domestically manufactured solar PV cells and modules for generating solar power, either for self use or use by other Government entities.
- (b) The scheme targets setting up of 12,000 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants,  with  investment  of  around  Rs.  48,000  crore,  thereby  providing  direct  employment  to around 60,000 persons for about one  year in  pre-commissioning activities/  construction  phase and  around  18,000  persons  for  about  25  years  in  the  operation  and  maintenance  period  and generating  about 20 - 25 billion units of electricity per year.
- (c)to(e) The details submitted by NTPC Limited and NHPC Limited are furnished at AnnexureI .

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## Annexure-I referred to in reply to parts (c), (d) & (e) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1956 for reply on 09.12.2021

## A. Submission by NTPC Limited:

With increase in the electricity demand in the country, generation from NTPC coal plants has increased to 189.3 BU from April to November 2021, an increase of 17.2%, compared to 161.5 BU in the same period last  year.  In  the  present  scenario,  NTPC  stations  are  not  facing  any  difficulties  in  meeting  the  power requirements of the grid.

Operationally, NTPC coal units are capable of running at minimum Technical Load of 55% of installed capacity,  as  mandated  by  CERC  for  Central  Generating  stations.  So,  during  daytime  when  solar generation  increases,  many  of  the  NTPC  coal  units  reduce  load  to  technical  minimum  and  thereafter increase loads again in the evening.

## B. Submission by NHPC Limited:

The difficulties faced by NHPC in development of hydro projects mainly are as under:

## i. Environment & Forest Clearances

Scrutiny of proposals at multiple levels / locations / offices and also by different committees to get Environment Clearance and Forest Clearance, Clearance from National Board for Wild Life (wherever applicable) leads to delay in obtaining respective clearances to the hydro projects.

## ii. Land Acquisition

The  process  of  land  acquisition  for  infrastructure  works  as  well  as  for  project's  components including submergence is quite cumbersome and time consuming.

## iii. Geological Uncertainties

Geological surprises are the biggest and most unpredictable of all obstacles encountered during / after execution of projects specifically in younger Himalaya regions having fragile rock geology in  North  &  North  East  of  the  Country.  Even  after  the  in-depth  and  extensive  Survey  and Investigations done before start of the project, various adverse site condition are encountered in underground components like Head Race Tunnel, Underground Powerhouse, Pressure Shaft, and Surge Shaft.

## iv. Natural Calamities

Most  of  Hydro  projects  are  being  executed  in  hilly  terrains.  As  such  landslides,  hill  slope collapses, road blocks, flood, and cloud bursts etc. are a cause of severe setbacks in construction schedules.

## v. Availability of Funds

Hydro power projects are Capital-Intensive with long gestation period. Also, availability of funds has been viewed as a major constraint for exploitation of vast hydro power potential available in the Country.

## vi. Local Agitation

Further,  there  has  been  an  increased  tendency  in  the  past  few  years  to  obstruct  the  works  of construction  projects,  which  are  nearing  completion,  by  various  vested  interest  groups,  local people over downstream issues, employment demands etc.

The Hydro Power potential of the country remains the same and is being harnessed in the best possible manner amid various constraints.