India hastens implementation pace of solar projects

States providing support and subsidies.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy expects the pace of implementation of solar energy projects to speed-up as more States encourage their implementation. MNRE Secretary Ratan P. Watal said India has made big strides in a little over three years after launching the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission and hoped the pace of implementation will accelerate as more States take up the task of encouraging setting up of solar photovoltaic projects. He revealed India’s total renewable energy installed capacity totals about 13% (28,000 MW), contributing 6% of the country’s energy. It is proposed to increase its contribution by about 6% to 9% to a total of 12% to 15% of the overall energy mix by 2020. Watal warned, however, that encouraging the establishment of solar energy units by providing subsidies may be good in the initial years but may not be the best way to encourage the growth of the sector.