India targets addition of 42.6 GW Renewable Energy Capacity
The Indian government has revealed renewable energy capacity addition targets for the next two years. The targets are usually announced during the financial budget announcements in February every year, however, this new step seems to be a step by the government to provide clarity to all stakeholders. According to the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, a total renewable energy capacity of 42.6 gigawatts (GW) is to be added to the grid between April 2017 and March 2019. The capacity addition target, quite understandably, is dominated by solar power. Wind energy targets have also been increased steadily, although in the very likely scenario of withdrawn incentives these targets may prove hard to achieve. In the financial year 2017-18, a grid-connected solar power capacity addition target has been set at 15 GW, which will increase to 16 GW in the next financial year. Similarly, in FY2017-18, a wind energy capacity addition target has been set at 4.6 GW and will increase to 5.2 GW in the next financial year. Biomass-based power projects have been given targets of 750 MW and 850 MW in FY2017-18 and FY2018-19, respectively. The ministry has reduced the target of small hydro power capacity addition from current financial year’s 225 MW to 100 MW in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
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