India to add 30,000 MW renewable energy capacity in 12th Plan
01 Dec 2012
The government proposes to create 30,000 MW of fresh generating capacity from renewable sources of energy during the 12th Five-year Plan (2012-17) taking overall renewable power capacity to 56,267 MW.
The country's power generating capacity based on renewable sources currently stands at 26,267 MW, minister for new and renewable energy Dr Farooq Abdullah informed the Lok Sabha today.
He said the plan is to raise the share of renewable power to 6-8 per cent of the country's total generation capacity although a major part of the power generated would still be coming from thermal and hydropower sources.
The government is implementing the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission (JNNSM), to promote the use of solar energy for power generation and other applications in the country. The mission alone envisages installation of 20,000 MW capacities by the year 2022. So far, 1,045 MW of solar power projects have been installed in the country, he added.
He said the government is currently implementing a project entitled 'Ladakh Renewable Energy Initiative' to minimise dependence on diesel in the Ladakh region and meet power requirement through local renewable sources. The approach is to meet power requirements through small / micro hydel and solar photovoltaic power projects /systems and use solar thermal systems for water heating / space heating / cooking requirements.
The project envisages setting up of solar power plants in 70 villages and 120 institutions and distribution of solar systems in the region.
