By Business India Editorial

India’s total installed renewable energy capacity has crossed 150 GW, said the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The government has now set a target to reach 175 GW capacity of renewable energy by 2022, which will include 100 GW of solar, 60 GW of wind, 10 GW of small hydro and 5 GW of biomass-based power projects.

Last month, the ministry stated that the country added 1,522.35 MW of renewable energy capacity in October 2021. This has raised the total renewable energy capacity of the country to 103.05 GW.

The ministry also said the 103.05 GW capacity included 47.66 GW of solar, 39.99 GW of wind, 10.58 GW of bio-power and 4.82 GW of small hydro capacity.

According to MNRE, projects of 50.98 GW capacity were at various stages of completion, while projects of 32.06 GW capacity were under various stages of bidding. Also, until October 31, 2021, an expenditure of Rs2,265.99 crore was incurred which was the ministry's total budget estimate's (FY22) 39.39 per cent.

Meanwhile, state-run power giant NTPC has said its arm NTPC Renewable Energy has signed a power purchase agreement and other project agreements with Indian Railways, Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company and Rewa Ultra Mega Solar.

“NTPC Renewable Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC, India's largest integrated energy company has signed a PPA (power purchase agreement) and other project agreements with Indian Railways, Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company (MPPMCL), and Rewa Ultra Mega Solar (RUMSL) for 325 MW Solar Projects being installed in the Rewa Ultra Mega Solar (RUMSL) at Shajapur Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh,” an NTPC statement said.

The NTPC Renewable Energy has won a capacity of 105 MW quoting Rs2.35/kWh, and also a capacity of 220 MW quoting Rs2.33/kWh in the Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Ltd’s auction held on 19 July 2021 for 450 MW of Solar Projects at Shajapur Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh.

The NTPC has won more than six GW of RE capacity through competitive biddings. NTPC REL was floated with the purpose of developing renewable energy projects, it stated.