Around 54 GW of RE Projects Under-Construction in India: CEA Report

 

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According to a report on Under Construction Renewable Energy Projects released by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India’s installed renewable energy (RE) capacity, excluding large hydro, reached approximately 125.16 GW by the end of March 2023. The report indicates that the country aims to add over 54 GW (Gigawatt) to its renewable energy share within the next 2-3 years.

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Under Construction RE Capacity Source Wise (54022.68 MW). Source: CEA

The report highlights the progress of various projects, including under-construction SECI projects, projects of Central Public Sector Utilities under the Ministry of Power under MoP (NTPC, NHDC, SJVNL, NEEPCO, DVC, NHPC, THDC), projects in various states (Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat), and UMREPP (Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Projects).

Solar projects lead the upcoming renewable projects, with a combined capacity of about 3,6270 MW. This is followed by wind projects (10,768.85 MW), hybrid projects (6,475.37 MW), and small hydro projects (221.85 MW). Biomass projects with a capacity of 59.25 MW, as well as other projects such as waste-to-energy and co-generation projects with a combined capacity of 227.35 MW, will also contribute to future renewable capacity additions.

Commencing This Financial Year

By the end of the financial year 2023-24, several projects are scheduled to be completed, with some even expected to finish by the end of 2023. Here are the updates on various projects:

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SECI Projects

Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has around 19,860 MW of solar power projects under construction. Out of this, it is anticipated that 2,270 MW of combined capacity projects will be added by the end of FY24 (March 31, 2024). Notable projects include the Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects in Rajasthan, Tranche-III (400 MW), developed by Green Infra Renewable Projects Limited, and the Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects in Rajasthan, Tranche-III (470 MW), developed by NTPC Renewable Energy Limited. Additionally, a part of the 1,200 MW ISTS Connected Projects (ISTS-VI) with 300 MW of under-construction capacity is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

SECI also has about 6,743.5 MW of combined capacity of wind energy projects under construction. Projects with a combined capacity of approximately 2,200 MW are expected to be constructed by the end of the current financial year. Noteworthy additions include Tranche-V of the 1,200 MW ISTS-connected Wind Power Projects being developed by Netra Wind Private Limited. The commissioning of the 540 MW Tranche-IX of the 2,500 MW ISTS-connected Wind Power Projects being developed by JSW Future Energy Ltd is also anticipated by March 31, 2024.

SJVN Projects

SJVN, a Joint Venture of the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh has a pipeline of about 1,385 MW solar projects. Out of this, approximately 225 MW of combined capacity projects are expected to be completed by the end of the current financial year. This includes projects like the Gurhah Solar Power Project (75 MW), Gujrai Solar Power Project (50 MW), and Raghanesda Solar Power Project (100 MW), all being developed by SJVNL, and anticipated for completion before the end of 2023. SJVN does not have any wind energy projects under construction.

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NHPC Projects

NHPC has 1,040 MW of combined solar power projects (excluding SECI) under-construction, which are expected to go live by November 11, 2023. By that time, a total of four projects will be constructed: a 40 MW Solar Power Project in Ganjam District, a 600 MW Solar Power Project under the CPSU Scheme, a 300 MW Solar Power Project under the CPSU Scheme, and a 100 MW Solar Power Project under the CPSU Scheme.

UMREPP Projects

Under UMREPP, a combined capacity of 7,705 MW of renewable projects is under-construction. Five out of ten projects are expected to complete construction by December 2023, with three of them likely to be ready as early as September 2023.

Other Projects

The states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat also have projects lined up for completion in the near future. Among these states, only Chhattisgarh is expected to add to its solar capacity with seven solar PV projects, with a combined capacity of at least 95 MW, to be added this financial year.

Projects Delayed

The report also highlights many projects that are facing delays, with no anticipated completion date. Some projects are delayed due to conservation efforts for the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and related issues in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat. Overhead power transmission lines pose a significant threat to the GIBs, and in April 2021, the Supreme Court ordered that all overhead power transmission lines in core and potential GIB habitats in Rajasthan and Gujarat should be made underground.

As a result, several renewable energy projects have been delayed, including parts of the 2,000 MW ISTS Connected Solar PV Projects (ISTS-I), 3,000 MW ISTS Connected Solar PV Projects (ISTS-II), and 750 MW Grid Connected in Rajasthan Tranche-I (non-solar park). These solar power projects have a combined capacity of 1,450 MW.

While some projects are being considered for deadline extensions, others are still in the land acquisition stages or at the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) stages.

This comes at a time when the Indian government has planned to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by the end of 2030. The CEA earlier has also planned evacuation plans to bolsters its transmission infrastructure to integrate the variable renewable energy into the grid.