New and Renewable Energy

1. BIOGAS PLANTS
Unstarred Question 5151
27/8/2010

(a) The total amount of subsidies/ funds/ financial assistance granted by the Government for the setting up of Bio-gas plants in the country during the last three years;

(b) Whether the Government has made any assessment of the percentage of energy needs of various States that have been met from the power supplied from bio-gas plants; and

(c) If so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a): Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP) and Biogas based Distributed/ Grid Power Generation Programme (BPGP) for installation of family type biogas plants for cooking and small and medium size plants for decentralized power generation applications.Large size biogas plants based on urban and industrial wastes are also being installed under the Programmes on Energy Recovery from Urban and Industrial Wastes for biogas based power generation. During the last three years and the current year an amount of Rs.269.45 crore has been released by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for setting up of biogas plants in the country.

(b)&(c): Biogas plants are generally set up for meeting cooking and heating energy requirement and also for decentralized power generation under the said programmes of the Ministry. As such this constitutes only a very small percentage of power requirement of various States. Application-wise number of biogas plants installed under the said programmes of the Ministry along with an estimated capacity of biogas production is given at Annexure-I.
http://164.100.47.132/Annexture/lsq15/5/au5151.htm

2. RENEWABLE ENERGY PURCHASE OBLIGATION:
Unstarred Question 6848
7/5/2010

(a)Whether any targets have been set for the purchase obligation from the renewable energy sources over the next ten years;

(b) If so, the details thereof;

(c) Whether the government has defined any purchase obligation from these sources for the state;

(d) If so the details thereof State-wise;

(e) Whether the Government has authorized the NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited to trade in solar energy; and

(f) If so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a) ,(b),(c)&(d): The Government has not defined any purchase obligation from renewable energy sources because Section 86 (e) of the Electricity Act, 2003 provides that the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERC) shall specify, for purchase of electricity from such sources, a percentage of the total consumption of electricity in the area of a distribution licensee. Such percentage is termed as Renewable Purchase Obligation. Accordingly, Regulators in several States have issued orders for Renewable Purchase Obligation varying from 1% to 10%. State-wise details thereof are given in the Annexure.

(e) & (f): The Government has designated NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN) as the Nodal Agency for the Grid-connected (33KV and above) solar power projects of aggregate 1000 MW capacity to be set up during the first phase (2009-2013) of the National Solar Mission. NVVN shall enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 25 years with each project developer for purchase of solar power at a tariff fixed by CERC. For each MW capacity of solar power for which the PPA is signed, Ministry of Power will allocate to NVVN an equivalent MW capacity from the unallocated quota of NTPC coal power stations, for bundling with solar power to be procured by NVVN. NVVN shall sell the solar power along with the NTPC power at CERC tariff to the Distribution utilities, as a bundled power with trading margin.

Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a),(b),(c) & (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.6848 for 07.05.2010 regarding Renewable Energy Purchase Obligation.

Renewable Purchase Energy Oblication Targets set by SERCs
 

3. SOLAR POWER PLANTS
Unstarred Question 5802
30/4/2010

(a) whether the Government provides concessions to private players for the setting up of solar photovoltaic power plants in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether concessions are given for buying power from these projects; as well;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the details of guidelines for signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPAs); by these projects;

(e) whether any PPAs have so far been signed; and

(f) if so, the details thereof ?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a) ,(b),(c),(d),(e)&(f): Government has been implementing a demonstration programme to encourage setting up of grid connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in the country on build, own and operate basis. Under the demonstration programme 8 project developers have signed PPAs with the concerned state utilities to set up 24 MWp capacity solar photovoltaic power plants, which are eligible to receive generation based incentive (GBI) for the power fed to the grid. Ministry will provide the GBI for a period of ten years, if the utility continues to purchase power from the project developer. The GBI is calculated as a difference of a notional amount of Rs. 15 per kWh minus the tariff announced by the appropriate Electricity Regulatory Commission for such PV power project. The project developers have signed the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for these projects as per the terms and conditions of the PPA of the concerned State utility.

Government has recently launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission to develop solar energy technologies to make solar power competitive to conventional grid power by 2022. The Mission will be implemented in three phases. Government has approved the target to set up 1,100 MW grid connected solar plants, including 100 MW capacity plants as rooftop and small solar plants for the first phase of the Mission till March, 2013. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), the trading subsidiary of NTPC, is the nodal agency for purchase of 1,000 MW capacity of grid solar power (connected to 33 KV and above grid) from the project developers at a tariff fixed by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) for purchase of solar power. NVVN will sign a PPA with each project developer for a period of 25 years as fixed by CERC. NVVN has brought out draft guidelines for the scheme and the PPA, which have been discussed with the project developers and other stakeholders, but not finalized as yet. 100 MW capacity roof top and small grid connected solar power plants, which are connected to LT/11 KV grid, will also be supported in the first phase of the Mission. The appropriate State Electricity Regulatory Commission will fix tariff for purchase of solar power from such solar power plants and the Ministry will provide a generation based Incentive for power fed to the grid. The quantum of the GBI will be the difference of the tariff announced by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and the notional tariff of Rs. 5.5 per kWh. The project developer will sign a PPA with the concerned State utility. The draft guidelines for the scheme have been discussed with the project developers and other stakeholders, but not finalized as yet.

Under the Mission, as yet no PPA has been signed for any solar power project.


4. REMOTE VILLAGE ELECTRIFICATION SCHEME
Unstarred Question 3587
16/4/2010

(a) the criteria and definition of an electrified village under the Remote Village Electrification Scheme;

(b) Whether under the scheme a village is declared electrified when 100 per cent houses in a village are provided electricity connections;

(c) If so, the details thereof;

(d) whether there is any mechanism to check the levels of electrified villages under the scheme; and

(e) If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a),(b)&(c):In accordance with approved definition of village electrification, remote villages will be deemed to be electrified if a minimum of 10% of the households are provided with electricity and electricity is also made available for community facilities and for Dalit Bastis of the village, if any. However, as per the National Rural Electrification Policy, 2006, villages using isolated lighting technologies like solar photovoltaic, may not be designated as electrified.

(d) & (e):As per the laid down guidelines of Remote Village Electrification Programme, financial support is provided to state implementing agencies for coverage of upto 100% of the households in an eligible village. However, the actual level of coverage is decided by the state implementing agencies in consultation with the village panchayats.

5. POWER GENERATION FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Unstarred Question 2570
4/12/2009

(a) whether the targets set for power generation from renewable energy sources during the Eleventh Five Year Plan have been achieved so far;

(b) if so, the details thereof State-wise and year-wise and if not, the reasons therefore;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any survey to increase the power generation from these sources;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the government to augment power generation from these sources?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a) & (b): A capacity addition of 12,300 MW grid-interactive renewable power (comprising 9000 MW wind power, 1400 Small Hydro power, 1700 MW Biomass power, 80 MW Urban/ Industrial Waste-to-power and 50 MW Solar power) is targeted during the 11th Plan period based on Mid Term Appraisal. Against this target, around 5,282 MW capacity (comprising 3,797 MW wind power, 547 MW Small Hydro power, 917. MW Biomass power, 20 MW Urban/ Industrial Waste-to-power and 1 MW Solar power) has been set up during the plan period upto 31.10.2009. State-wise targets are not fixed as the activity is largely in private sector. State-wise and year-wise details of the capacity added are given in Annexure.

(c) & (d): Based on various studies and surveys, a potential of around 90,000 MWeq for power generation from different renewable energy sources (excluding solar) in the country has been estimated which include 48,561 MW from wind, 14,294 MW from small hydro and 26,367 MW from bio-power. The potential for solar energy is estimated for most parts of the country at around 20 MW per square kilometer of open, shadow free area covered with solar collectors.

(e) : The Government has taken various measures to augment power generation from renewable energy sources, mainly with private investment. It is providing various fiscal and financial incentives for renewable power projects that include capital/ interest subsidy, accelerated depreciation and nil/ concessional excise and customs duties. Under the Electricity Act 2003, it has been made obligatory upon State Electricity Regulatory Authorities to fix a minimum percentage for purchase of electricity from renewable sources taking into account local factors. Preferential tariff for grid interactive renewable power is being given in most potential States following the provisions made under the National Electricity Policy 2005 and National Tariff Policy 2006. Uniform guidelines by CERC for fixation of such preferential tariffs have been issued recently. The National Solar Mission approved recently is also expected to enable large-scale capital investment in solar power generation.

http://164.100.47.132/Annexture/lsq15/3/au2570.htm

6. SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS
Unstarred Question 288
20/11/2009

(a) the subsidy granted for solar energy projects to the States including Orissa during the last three years and the current year;

(b) whether the brakes have been put on Solar Energy Projects due to lack of sufficient funds; (

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has put a cap on the number of solar energy projects and a maximum capacity which can avail of subsidy;

(e) if so, the reasons therefore;

(f) whether the cap discourages large efficient solar energy projects like solar thermal power projects from being set up in the country; and

(g) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a): During 2006-7, 2007-8, 2008-9 and current financial year upto 31.10.2009, an amount of about Rs. 290.16 crores was released to various States including Rs. 78.68 lakhs to the State agency of Orissa by the Ministry as central financial assistance (CFA) under the Solar Energy Programme.

(b): No, Madam.

(c): Does not arise

(d) ,(e),(f)&(g): The Ministry has announced a demonstration programme to support megawatt size grid interactive solar power projects for a total capacity of 50 MW in the country, based on both solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies. Proposals from any project developer with a maximum aggregated capacity of 5 MW, either through a single project or multiple projects of a minimum capacity of 1 MW each are eligible for consideration. In a State, a maximum of 10 MW capacity solar power projects could be considered. So far, one solar thermal power project of 1 MW capacity based on Linear Fresnel Reflectors (LFR) and two projects of 5 MW capacity each based on Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC) have been found eligible for generation based incentive (GBI) under the demonstration programme of the Ministry.

7. INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS
Unstarred Question 287
3/7/2009

(a) The incentives given by the Government to promote renewable energy projects;

(b) Whether Solar Energy Projects are included for incentives given by the Government;

(c) If so, the details, thereof;

(d) Whether Solar Thermal Power Projects of 50 MW are also eligible for the incentives; and

(e) If so, the details, thereof?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a) ,(b)&(c): The Government is promoting development of the renewable energy sector through a mix of fiscal and financial incentives that include capital/interest subsidy, accelerated depreciation, nil/concessional excise and customs duties. These cover solar energy projects also.

(d)&(e): Solar thermal power projects are also eligible for the incentives mentioned above. However, solar thermal power projects of unit capacity of 50 MW are not eligible for generation based incentives, provided by the Government under the demonstration programme of grid-connected solar thermal power.