Lok Sabha Question No. 1884 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Generation of Solar Energy in West Bengal
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Sukanta Majumdar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1884

ANSWERED ON 09.12.2021

## GENERATION OF SOLAR ENERGY IN WEST BENGAL

## 1884. DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of solar plants set up in West Bengal for solar energy in the field of electricity generation, district-wise;
- (b) the details of schemes introduced/proposed to be introduced by the Government to promote the solar energy generation in West Bengal;
- (c) the number of sub stations with the capacity of 720 kilowatt set up/proposed to be set up in West Bengal during the last three years; and
- (d) the other new initiatives/steps being taken by the Government to promote establishment of solar plants in the country, State-wise?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) A total grid connected solar power capacity of 151 MW has been installed in West Bengal as on 31.10.2021. Out of this, 100 MW capacity is ground mounted. District-wise details of ground mounted capacity are given at Annexure-I . The remaining capacity of 51 MW has been installed as rooftop systems on various buildings.
- (b) The details of operational  Schemes for promotion of solar energy in the country including West Bengal are given in Annexure-II .
- (c) In last three years (including current year), two nos. of 765 kV substations have been commissioned viz. Medinipur (765/400kV, 2x1500MVA) and Jeerat New (765/400kV, 2x1500MVA).
- (d) The Government has taken several steps to promote use of Renewable Energy, including solar energy, in the country. These include the following:
-  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 30th June 2025,
-  laying new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity for evacuation of renewable power,
-  notification of standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/devices,
-  setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments,
-  Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding for procurement of power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects.
-  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.
-  Conducting skill development programmes to create a pool of skilled manpower for setting up, operation and maintenance of RE projects.

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## ANNEXURE-I  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1884 FOR 09.12.2021

## DISTRICT WISE DETAILS OF GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PROJECTS COMMISSIONED IN WEST BENGAL

(As on 30-10-2021)

| S. No.   | District          | Village                      |   Capacity (MW) |
|----------|-------------------|------------------------------|-----------------|
| 1        | Uttar Dinajpur    | Haptiagachh                  |              10 |
| 2        | Bankura           | Mejia                        |              10 |
| 3        | Purulia           | Chharrah                     |              10 |
| 4        | Paschim Midnapur  | Salboni                      |              10 |
| 5        | Paschim Midnapur  | Khemasuli (Patni),           |              10 |
| 6        | Uttar Dinajpur    | Canal Top Teesta Canal Bank, |              10 |
| 7        | Purulia           | STPS, Santaldih              |              10 |
| 8        | Birbhum           | Dhaka Phase II               |              10 |
| 9        | Paschim Bardhaman | Chalbalpur (Raniganj)        |              10 |
| 10       | Birbhum           | Dhaka Phase I                |              10 |
| Total    | Total             | Total                        |             100 |

## ANNEXURE-II    REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  AND  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1884 FOR 09.12.2021

The following schemes are in operation for promotion of solar energy:

- i. Solar Park Scheme for setting up of 50 Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects targeting over 40,000 MW capacity.
- ii. Scheme for setting  up  12000  MW of  Grid-Connected  Solar  PV  Power  Projects  by  the Government producers with Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
- iii. Installation of Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Power Plants.
- iv. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-  KUSUM).