India ranks fourth in the world for installed renewable energy capacity, wind power capacity, and solar power capacity including large hydro.
From January to October 2022, a total of 14.21 GW of Renewable Energy (RE) capacity was added, as opposed to the 11.9 GW of capacity added from January to October 2021. In comparison to the 128.95 BU created from RE sources during the same period in 2021, 151.94 BU have been generated from RE sources from January through September 2022.
In this piece of content, we are going to review, How was 2022 for Indian renewable energy industry?
As of October 31, 2022, 172.72 GW of capacity derived from non-fossil fuel sources have been built nationwide. This comprises 119.09 GW of renewable energy, 46.85 GW of large hydropower, and 6.78 GW of nuclear power. As of October 31, 2022, this accounted for 42.26% of the nation’s total installed generation capacity, or 408.71 GW.
Important actions this year include:
RTS procedure was made easier: A national portal (solarrooftop.gov.in) has been created to streamline the implementation process, allowing any residential customer from any region of the country to apply for rooftop solar without having to wait for the Discom to complete the procurement process and appoint vendors.
The CCEA adopted the Intra-State GEC Phase-II (InSTS GEC-II) plan in January 2022. The target includes 27500 MVA sub-stations and 10750 km of intra-state transmission lines, with a March 2026 commissioning deadline.
With a budget of Rs. 19,500 crores, the “National Programme on High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules” Production Linked Incentive Scheme (Tranche II) was approved and launched.
National Bioenergy Program: Launched on November 2, 2022, the National Bioenergy Program consists of the following Sub-scheme.
Waste to Energy Program: Program on Energy from Urban, Industrial, and Agricultural Wastes/ Residues.
Biomass Program: The Biomass Program is a plan to assist the production of briquettes and pellets as well as the promotion of cogeneration using biomass (other than bagasse) in the industrial sector. Also promoting family-style biogas plants is the goal of the biogas program.
Vayumitra and Jalmitra Skill Development Program under Human Resource Development Scheme were launched in 2022. Equity infusion of Rs. 1500 crore in IREDA & Rs. 1000 crore in SECI.
The development of several renewable energy programs:
Solar Parks Scheme:
As of October 31, 2022, 56 Solar Parks with a combined capacity of 39.28 GW have been approved throughout 14 states. In 17 parks, solar energy projects with a combined capacity of more than 10 GW have already been put into operation. The remaining parks are in various phases of implementation. Between January and October 2022, several Solar Parks saw the commissioning of solar installations with a combined capacity of 832 MW.
Solar Rooftop:
Cumulative progress upto 18.11.2022:
| Cumulative installed capacity (with or without CFA) | 7.2 GW |
| Estimated investment* | Rs. 35000 Crore |
| Capacity sanctioned for Central Financial Assistance (CFA) | Around 5.5 GW (i.e. 2.1 GW under phase I and 3.4 GW under phase II) |
| Capacity installed with CFA | 2.838 GW (i.e. 1.350 GW under phase I and 1.488 GW under phase II) |
| Amount of CFA and incentives provided | Rs. 4623.97 Crore |
Green Energy Corridor:
8651 km of intrastate transmission lines had been built as of October 31, 2022, and 19558 MVA of intrastate substations had been charged. A total of 183 km of transmission lines have been put into service this year, and substations with a combined 4930 MVA capacity have been charged.
In addition to the foregoing, the CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) authorised the Intra-State GEC Phase-II (InSTS GEC-II) scheme in January 2022. The goal is to build 27500 MVA sub-stations and 10750 km of intra-state transmission lines, with a completion date of March 2026.
Wind Energy:
Between January and October 2022, a total capacity expansion of 1761.28 MW was completed.
Off-shore Wind
A strategy paper with offshore wind energy business models has been released. The model drafts the roadmap for meeting the aim of 30 GW of offshore wind power by 2030. For “in-principle” approval, a concept note for the Rs 14283 crore VGF plan for the inaugural 3 GW of offshore wind energy projects has been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Expenditure.
Until FY 2029–30, offshore wind energy blocks with a 37 GW capacity will be put up for auction. Offshore Wind Energy Lease Rules, 2022 Draft has been completed and forwarded to attorneys for review. Contractual agreements for offshore wind energy projects have been finished and are currently being distributed for input from parties.
Bioenergy:
In the year 2022, a total capacity of 30 MW of bioenergy was attained. The installed capacity of biomass power and cogeneration plants as of October 31, 2022, was approximately 9.4 GW (Bagasse & IPP) and 0.77 GW (Non-Bagasse), and the installed capacity of waste-to-energy projects was 223.14 MW (grid-connected) and 272.09 MW (off-grid).
The installed capacity of WTE projects completed between January 1, 2022, and October 31, 2022, is 61.12 MWeq, including 24 MW (grid-connected) and 37.12 MWeq (off-grid).
Human Resources in RE-sector:
From April 2021 to October 2022, a total of 4363 Surya Mitras were trained, totaling a total of 51529 trained Surya Mitras. Of these, 26967 Surya Mitras were hired between FY 2015–16 and October 2022 under the Surya Mitra program.
To develop around 1700 skilled workers over 5 years, from FY 2021–22 to 2025–26, the ministry has started the Jal–Urjamitra Skill Development Program to train technicians for the maintenance of Small Hydro Power Projects. The program is being coordinated by the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee’s Hydro and Renewable Energy Department.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has started the Vayumitra Skill Development Program (VSDP) (Phase-1). It also gave the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai, the job of developing around 5000 trainees during the financial years 2021–22 and 2023–24.
National Green Hydrogen Mission:
The National Green Hydrogen Mission is being developed by MNRE with the goals of decarbonizing important economic sectors, achieving energy independence for India, and serving as a model for the global transition to clean energy. By the Green Open Access Rules, the Ministry of Power announced procedures for facilitating open access to and banking renewable energy for the creation of green hydrogen.
Activities for bilateral hydrogen collaboration have been started with several nations, including the USA, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, and the UK. Task forces on hydrogen have been established with the US and Germany, while India is in charge of the Quad’s technical cooperation efforts. As part of the Energy Transition Working Group during India’s G-20 presidency, MNRE is also in charge of the hydrogen track.
International Solar Alliance:
An amendment that allows all UN members, including countries outside the tropics, to join the ISA, entered into force on July 15, 2020. 110 nations had ratified the ISA Framework Agreement as of November 30, 2021. 90 nations have approved the same of them. On October 18, 2022, the International Solar Alliance conducted its fifth assembly. India and France have been chosen to serve a third consecutive two-year term as the President and Co-President of the ISA Assembly, from October 2022 to October 2024.
For the Indian Renewable energy industry, 2022 was a waking moment. We have a long way to go and we have very less time so it’s time to fasten the seat belts and accelerate the pace.
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