Lok Sabha Question No. 1585 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-15
Subject: Solar Power Projects
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Lorho S. Pfoze

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1585

ANSWERED ON 15.12.2022

## SOLAR POWER PROJECTS

1585. SHRI LORHO S. PFOZE

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

- (a) the number of solar power projects in operation in the country at present;
- (b) the steps taken or being taken to promote solar power projects in Manipur; and
- (c) the details of the benefits expected for Manipur from these projects, district-wise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) As on 30.11.2022, solar power projects of 61.97 GW capacity have been installed in the country.
- (b) The details of steps, inter-alia, taken by Government to promote renewable energy including solar energy in the country including Manipur are:
- 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 th June 2025,
- Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 202930,
- 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 process 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.
- Notification of Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022.
- Notification of 'The electricity (Late Payment Surcharge and related matters) Rules 2002 (LPS rules).
- Launch of Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) to facilitate sale of Renewable Energy power including Solar power through exchanges.

In addition, Government is implementing various schemes to promote solar energy in the country.

- (c) A solar capacity of 12.28 MW has been installed in Manipur so far. This includes 6.36 MW Solar Rooftop and 5.92 MW under various Off-grid applications including installations under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahaabhiyaan (PM-KUSUM).
- Apart from the environmental benefits, this has benefitted the State in the following ways: (i) The standalone solar water pumping project under Component-B of PM-KUSUM scheme benefits  the  individual  farmers  /  group  of  farmers  in  enhancing  their  productivity  of  the different crops and also helps in community irrigation systems. Already five districts (Imphal East, Bishnupur, Moirang, Ukhrul, Senapati)  were covered in the first phase of installation of the programme; (ii) it helps in generation of electricity at point of consumption avoiding /minimizing transmission and distribution losses; (iii) employment creation; and
- (iv) economic development of areas around the projects.

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