India to push for increased renewable energy generation

The Indian government aims to generate 16,725MW of clean and renewable energy in 2016-17 (Apr-Mar), of which 12,000 MW would come from  the solar power sector.

Clean and renewable energy capacity addition through wind, biomass and small hydro projects is expected to be of 4,000MW, 500MW and 225MW,  respectively, to meet the target for the ongoing financial year, according to the Free Press Journal.

For 2017-18, the government’s aim is to add 20,450MW of renewable and clean energy, which includes 15,000MW of solar energy, 4,600MW of wind energy, 750MW of biomass energy, and 100MW of hydro power.

The government has set a target of 175,000MW capacity addition for renewable energy by 2022.

“In coming years, the ministry is going to focus on conducive policies for promotion of grid interactive renewable power so as  to reach 175GW by 2022, low cost financing with long tenure for renewable energy technologies and projects, creation of transmission infrastructure for evacuation of renewable power,” Minister for New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal said.