India sets to become solar power hub in coming days, says Centre

On a question on solar engery and India’s role, raised by MP Kartikeya Sharma in the Rajya Sabha, the Union energy ministry mentioned it took several steps. The steps included:
• Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025;
• Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30;
• Setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers for installation of RE projects at large scale;
• Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, etc;
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route continued;
• Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power;
• Notification of standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/devices;
• Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments;
• Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects;
• Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators;
• Notification of Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022;
• Notification of “The electricity (Late Payment Surcharge and related matters) Rules (LPS rules);
• Launch of Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) to facilitate sale of Renewable Energy Power through exchanges;
• National Green Hydrogen Mission approved with an aim to make India a Global Hub for production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
The young MP put another question when he asked about the on going schemes to promote solar energy in Haryana.
The energy ministry replied categorically and said the followings:
1. Solar Park Scheme for setting up at least 50 Solar Parks targeting 40,000MW of solar power projects.
2. Scheme for setting up 12,000 MW of Grid-Connected Solar PV Power
Projects by the Government producers with Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
3. Installation of Grid-Connected Solar Rooftop Power Plants.
4. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-
KUSUM).
5. Production-linked incentive scheme under “National Programme on high efficiency Solar PV Modules.”
6. Green Energy Corridor Scheme for Intra-State Transmission System.