New Delhi , June 14: India is staying true to its ambitious renewable energy targets by showing a steady growth in renewable energy installations in the country, which, as of April 2017, account for 17.5 percent of the total energy source.
India’s overall installed capacity has reached 329.4 GW, with renewables accounting for 57.472 GW. The figures show a significant rise on the data released by the ministry in February when the figure stood at around 50 GW.
In the country’s renewables mix, wind power accounted for 56.2 % with as much as 32.3 GW, followed by solar which took the share of 21.8 % with 12.5 G.
“It is for the first time ever, that India’s net capacity increase of renewable power exceeded than that of conventional energy and also crossed major milestones in the mission of achieving 175 GW of renewable power by 2022. For me, renewable energy is an article of faith,” Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines said while giving the data on the last three years of achievement of his ministry.
By introducing competitive bidding, Government has ensured that renewable energy is affordable and attractive for consumers. 2016-17 saw the lowest tariffs of Rs. 2.44 in both solar and Rs. 3.46 in wind energy. In a development, 2016-17 also marks the first year when net capacity addition of renewable energy was higher than that conventional energy. We Are opting for green energy today for a greener World tomorrow” – the vision of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi.
In April 2017, solar energy reached 3.8% of total installed capacity up from 2.23% in April 2016.
Country’s coal-fired fleet remains strong with a 59% share in the total energy mix, although National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has showed itself to be the principle supporter of the government’s green energy agenda.
India has set a target of reaching 170 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, out of which 100 GW is to come from solar. (ANI)
