Lok Sabha Question No. 1329 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Solar Energy based Power Supply
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Ranjeeta Koli, Manoj Rajoria, Sumedhanand Saraswati

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1329

ANSWERED ON 27.07.2023

## SOLAR ENERGY BASED POWER SUPPLY

1329. SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI DR. MANOJ RAJORIA SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI

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

- (a) the total share of solar energy based power supply in total power generation of the country;
- (b) whether steps are being taken to increase solar energy based power generation and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to take land of farmers lying vacant due to shortage of water on rent to establish solar energy projects and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government also proposes any scheme to establish solar energy plants in Sikar and other districts;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f) the time by which the said projects are likely to be established?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a)  In  2022-23,  the  solar  energy-based  generation  was  1,02,014.24  MU,  out  of  total  power generation of 16,24,465.10 MU in the country, including power imported from Bhutan.
- (b) The Government have taken several steps to promote renewable energy, including solar energy, in the country. The details of major steps taken are given at Annexure-I.
- (c)  Solar  projects  are  developed  largely  through  private  investments  and  land  acquisition  is undertaken by the respective project developers. Land is under the purview of respective State Governments; and they are required to remove the hurdles in land acquisition.

In addition, solar energy projects are also set up by the farmers, group of farmers, etc. primarily on barren/fallow land, under the Component 'A' & 'C' of the PM KUSUM scheme.

Under the PM-KUSUM scheme the lease rates of the land to be taken from the farmers are not specified. However, the scheme guidelines amended on 12.07.2023 allow States to announce land lease rates for Component 'C' of the scheme.

(d)to(f) The Government is implementing various schemes for establishing solar energy plants in the  country,  including  Sikar  and  other  districts  of  Rajasthan.  The  details  of  major  operational schemes  are  given  at Annexure-II. Different  timelines  for  implementation  are  prescribed  in various  components  of  each  scheme.  Standard  Bidding  Guidelines  for  Solar  Power  Projects provide a provision for implementation of projects up to 18 months.

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## ANNEXURE-I REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1329 FOR 27.07.2023

## MAJOR STEPES TAKEN TO PROMOTE RENEWABLE ENERGY INCLUDING SOLAR ENERGY IN THE COUNTRY

- 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 2029-30,
- Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme 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  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 (LPS rules).
- Launch  of  Green  Term  Ahead  Market  (GTAM)  to  facilitate  sale  of  Renewable Energy Power through exchanges.
- National Green Hydrogen Mission launched with an aim to make India a global hub for production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.

## ANNEXURE-II REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) to (f) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1329 FOR 27.07.2023

## DETAILS OF MAJOR OPERATIONAL SCHEMES TO PROMOTE SOLAR ENERGY IN THE COUNTRY

1.  Solar Park Scheme for setting up of at least 50 Solar Parks targeting 40,000 MW of solar power projects.
2.  Scheme for setting up 12,000 MW of Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects by the Government producers with Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
3.  Installation of Grid-Connected Solar Rooftop Power Plants.
4.  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Urja  Suraksha  evam  Utthaan  Mahabhiyan  (PMKUSUM).
5.  Production-linked  incentive  scheme  under  'National  Programme  on  high efficiency Solar PV Modules.'
6.  Green Energy Corridor Scheme for Intra-State Transmission System.