OREANDA-NEWS. The Government has formulated an Integrated Energy Policy (IEP) covering all sources of energy including renewable energy sources. The IEP document gives a roadmap to develop energy supply options and increased exploitation of renewable energy sources. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has made a Plan for a capacity addition of about 30,000 MW power during the 12th Plan period (2012-17) from various renewable energy sources in the country. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of state (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

The Minister further stated that the Government is taking the following major steps to promote solar energy in the country:

(i) National Solar Mission is being implemented to give a boost to utilization of solar energy for power generation as well as direct thermal energy applications in the country, with a long-term goal of adding 20,000 MW of grid-connected solar power by 2022, to be achieved in 3 phases (1st phase up to 2012-13, 2nd phase from 2013 to 2017 and the 3rd phase from 2017 to 2022).

ii. An enabling policy and regulatory environment is being created through measures like Solar specific RPOs under National Tariff Policy {0.25% in Phase 1 (2013) to increase to 3% by 2022}, State specific Solar Policies and RPO targets, and REC mechanism. Efforts are being made to ensure compliance by DISCOMs and obligated entities.

iii. Fiscal and financial incentives in the form of accelerated depreciation, concessional/ nil customs and excise duties, preferential tariffs and generation based incentives are being provided to improve the viability of the solar power generation units.

iv. Capital subsidy is being provided for off-grid/ decentralized solar power generation systems.

v. A scheme for setting up Grid-connected Solar PV Power projects of 750 MW aggregate capacity with Viability Gap Funding from NCEF is being implemented.

vi. A scheme for promotion of grid-connected roof-top PV systems with a provision for 30% subsidy has also been formulated.

vii. Solar Parks are being planned in various parts of the country to achieve cost reductions of solar power generation units through utilization of common infrastructure.