Lok Sabha Question No. 686 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Challenges of Renewable Energy Projects
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 686

ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## CHALLENGES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS

## 686. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN

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

- (a) the steps being taken by the Government to address land acquisition challenges and environmental concerns in the development of large-scale solar, wind and hybrid renewable energy projects;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to promote use of wasteland and non-agricultural land for renewable energy parks and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure that environmental clearances are granted without compromising ecological balance; and
- (d) whether local communities are being consulted and compensated adequately for land used in renewable energy projects and if so, the details thereof?

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

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) to (c) Land is a State subject and therefore, the identification of land for the setting up of solar/RE projects is generally done through the respective State/UT Government. In order to streamline land identification and other related processes, this Ministry has been writing to all States/UTs on multiple occasions for the identification of suitable land for solar/RE projects and also for easing land rules like exempting Non-Agriculture Land conversion etc.

As per the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change categorization of industries based on their pollution load, solar power generation through photovoltaic cell and wind power come under the White category which pertains to those industrial sectors which are practically non-polluting. Hence, solar photovoltaic power projects and wind power projects do not require environmental clearance.

The scheme for 'Development of Solar Parks and Ultra -Mega Solar Power Projects' encourages the State/UT Governments to prioritize the use of government waste/non-agricultural land for setting up solar parks in the country.

(d) Land is a State subject and most of solar and wind power projects are being developed by the private sector. Hence, the developer acquires land as per the respective State's land acquisition and leasing policy.

Further  as  per  the  information  received  from  the  Central  Electricity  Authority  (CEA),  local communities are consulted and adequately compensated for land used in large hydropower projects. RFCTLARR (The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement), Act 2013 aims to ensure fair, transparent, and humane land acquisition with minimal disruption, providing compensation and proper rehabilitation so that affected people become partners in development and their living conditions improve after acquisition. Accordingly Public hearings and Social Impact Assessments are conducted to inform and involve affected families. In case of acquisition of land for irrigation or hydel project, being a public purpose, the rehabilitation and resettlement shall be completed six months prior to submergence of the lands acquired. Also the affected families may be allowed fishing rights in the reservoirs, in such manner as may be prescribed by the appropriate Government.

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