Government to approve policy on 100 GW solar power soon

GURGAON, May 14: The Government of India is likely to approve in few days a final policy on adding 100 GW of solar power, as it targets energy generation of 175 GW from renewable sources by 2022. "Government has already approved 19 solar power parks, which would generate 12-13 GW. Policy approvals have been done. One final policy (on solar power) of (adding) 1,00,000 MW will be confirmed (approved) by the Cabinet in few days," Power, New & Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters here. The minister was here to inaugurate the New Solar Passive Building of the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE). Goyal also talked about taking on lease barren lands for setting up of solar power plants. "...despite the fact the opposition parties opposed our Land Reforms Bill, we are finding new avenues," he said, adding that the government is working on an idea to get barren land on lease for setting solar energy projects. For making micro projects viable, the minister said, "We are coming out with a policy by which it will be compulsory to take solar power (from micro projects) in the grid whenever the grid reaches the remote area. We are very confident that it will kick-start investments in this area." The Minister also announced establishment of the International Solar Policy and Applications Agency, which would be a coalition of solar resource rich countries for the development of solar energy and solar technology applications. This would help in addressing special energy needs of these countries and in the long run reduce reliance on fossil fuels by increasing share of solar power in the energy mix. The minister also said a World Renewable Museum would be established at the NISE campus. The institute is the apex National Centre of research and development in Solar Energy under New & Renewable Energy. It coordinates solar energy research and technology related work in the country under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). The minister also launched a biomass knowledge portal which aims to disseminate information about effective use of biomass for power generation. The Portal would provide information about Biomass resource potential, latest technologies and technical inputs to set up grid connected as well as off-grid projects.