GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3633

ANSWERED ON:27.04.2007

DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SCHEMES

(a)whether the Government has any action plan to promote photovoltaic power plant in the country; (b)if so, the details thereof; (c)the details of New and Renewable energy schemes/ programmes implemented by Integrated Rural Development Authority (IRDA) for the development of non-conventional energy in the country during the last three years alongwith the expenditure incurred thereon, State-wise; (d)whether some renewable energy programmes are still in experimental stage; and (e)if so, the details thereof alongwith the efforts being made for development of such programmes ? 

 MINISTER OF THE STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR)

(a)& (b): No specific target has been fixed for grid-interactive solar power in view of its high unit cost of generation, currently estimated at around Rs.20/kWh. However, were costs of such power to come down, then deployment of the same could be facilitated on a limited scale until such time it becomes cost-competitive with respect to conventional power. Research, design & development (RD&D) activity globally and in this country is aiming to make solar power generation cost-competitive. Although no definite date can be ascribed for the attainment of this aim, it is generally considered that solar power might become cost-competitive or near competitive by 2030, depending upon technological breakthroughs and the then unit cost of generation of conventional fuel power.

(c): The Ministry is not implementing its schemes/ programmes through the said Integrated Rural Development Authority (IRDA).

(d)&(e): Renewable energy programmes/ schemes broadly fall into the two categories of deployment and development. While in the former category, the Village Energy Security Programme is in test/ experimental stage, in the latter category, Research, Design & Development (RD&D) in New & Renewable Energy (NRE) are in either experimental and/ or development stage. In this regard, an 11th plan outlay of around Rs.1500 crore has been proposed for RD&D in NRE technologies.