MNRE collaborates with states and UTs to achieve 500 GW RE target by 2030

Recently, Union Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy, Chemicals, and Fertilisers, Bhagwanth Khuba, chaired a review meeting with states and UTs on the progress of renewable energy schemes and capacities in New Delhi.

S. Bhalla, Secretary, MNRE, and Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power, were also present on the occasion. Principal Secretaries (Energy) and Secretaries of Power & New & Renewable Energy from States and  UTs, besides senior officials from CEA, Power Grid Cooperation, Power Finance Cooperation, Rural Electrification Corporation, CTU, Grid Controller of India, Ministry of Power, and MNRE, attended the meeting.

Speaking at the event, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Bhagwant Khuba emphasised that India’s future depends heavily on the energy sector. The Ministries of Power and New and Renewable Energy are working together on a number of projects, such as boosting domestic production of solar PV modules and transmission capacity.

It was also highlighted that we must take steps to save the environment and our natural resources for future generations. The vision laid out by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Panchamrit 5 nectar principles was emphasised.

Nearly 129 GW of RE capacity is currently being implemented or has been tendered, and 172 GW of RE capacity has already been built. As a result, there would be 301 GW of installed capacity overall, leaving space for an additional 200 GW of capacity to be built in order to reach the goal of 500 GW of capacity from non-fossil fuels.

The energy transition is a given reality, according to Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power, and we have discussed it in G20 meetings as well, particularly due to the impact of climate change, energy security, and lowering our reliance on imports. The Power Ministry is working to develop the market for the procurement of power through market-based instruments, increase the storage capacity through Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) and Battery Storage, and integrate the RE Plan with Resource Adequacy Plans. During the all-day meeting, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme, the Rooftop Solar Programme, the Green Energy Corridor, the National Bioenergy Programme, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission all had their current statuses reviewed in detail. The problems and difficulties of putting these programmes into action were explored, along with the distinctive state-proposed solutions. In order to meet the RE 2030 target, the states were additionally requested to accelerate the implementation of all RE schemes in a time-bound manner.