India’s renewable energy capacity target falls short by 31%

A parliamentary panel has attributed low installation of solar roof-top and wind energy projects as key reasons for the shortfall in achieving India’s renewable energy capacity target of 175 GW by 2022. India set an ambitious target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by the year 2022, which included 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from bio-power, and 5 GW from small hydropower.
However, a renewable energy capacity of 120.90 GW has been installed in the country as of 31 December, 2022, which is about 69 percent of the overall target, the Standing Committee on Energy said in a report. “Keeping in view the fact that renewable energy installed capacity has increased by more than 236 percent since 2014, this is indeed a commendable achievement. However, it should also be mentioned that whatever shortfall has occurred in the achievement of the target, that is because of the low installation of solar roof-tops and wind energy projects,” the committee said.
The committee recommended that distribution companies (discoms) follow a strict timeline for approvals/rejections of applications, installation of net meters, system inspections, and so on, and that they provide reasons for rejection of applications on the national portal.
Discoms may be incentivized so that their apprehensions regarding losing their high-paying consumers because of the installation of solar rooftops are addressed and they positively participate in the program. The Ministry should also monitor the implementation of the rooftop solar and wind energy projects.