India could add 21,000 MW of renewable energy during 2023-24: Centre

The Centre has urged states to switch agricultural power load to renewable energy sources in a bid to reduce coal-based power footprint.

Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy R. K. Singh on Monday asked states to leverage the PM KUSUM Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) to switch the agricultural load to renewables and conserve coal-based generation for the night "since the challenge is during non-solar hours."

Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal said that India is likely to add about 10,000 megawatts (MW) of thermal capacity and 21,000 MW of renewable energy capacity during this financial year. The country is taking "concrete steps" to move towards a total capacity of 900 gigawatts (GW) by 2031-32, he said.

“The Government of India has sanctioned Rs 21,000 crores to generate 5,000 MW renewable energy from Ladakh. In the distribution sector, we have seen significant results since the implementation of late payment surcharge rules," the minister said.

Singh, taking part in the two-day National Conference of Power and New and Renewable Energy Ministers of states and union territories held in New Delhi, noted the rise in demand for power in the country and asserted that India will "not compromise" despite the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-28) which is expected to urge nations to curb emissions of fossil fuel.

“COP-28 is going to be held in UAE. There is going to be pressure on nations at COP to reduce usage of coal," he noted. "We are not going to do this, since our point of view is clear, that we are not going to compromise on availability of power for our growth, even if it requires that we add coal-based capacity."

Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, the Secretary of New and Renewable Energy, said that the installed capacity of renewable energy has "increased significantly" in the last 9 years. 

The Government of India has set an ambitious goal of installing 500 GW non-fossil-fuel energy capacity by 2030, he noted, adding that as of September 30 this year, India has reached a 186 GW capacity from non-fossil sources alone. This, Bhalla pointed out, accounts for about 43.75% of the country's total installed capacity.

"The last nine years have witnessed the fastest growth in the renewable energy sector among all large economies and installed capacity has more than doubled," he pointed out further, adding that the country has attracted over 80 billion dollars in investment, including a substantial amount of FDI.

Bhalla cited "proactive approach" and "transformative policies" of state governments as reasons for the progress. “States will continue to play a leading role in our goal for 2030," he said.

Bhalla urged the states to overcome challenges in PM KUSUM and rooftop solar schemes for increasing adoption of solar energy and called on them "to promote a conducive environment for renewable energy."

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