RPO for R-T-C Renewable Power Will Encourage Storage: RK Singh

Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy RK Singh has proposed to have RPO for round the clock (R-T-C) renewable energy which will encourage storage.

Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy RK Singh has said that renewable energy is economically viable today, and the only rider is storage. While launching the website and telephone directory for the Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS), the minister proposed to have RPO for round the clock (R-T-C) renewable energy which will encourage storage.

Singh, who is the ex-officio Patron of AREAS graced the ceremony of 6th Foundation Day of AREAS on August 27, 2020, through online platform. He launched the AREAS website and also the telephone directory of AREAS.

While talking about the future of Renewable Energy, Singh said, “renewable energy is economically viable today. The only rider is storage. Prices of storage will come down over time. We should bring down storage prices by increasing demand and putting up more manufacturing facilities. Once that happens the transition to renewables will be faster. More and more future projects will have storage with them. I propose to have RPO for round the clock renewable energy which will encourage storage.”

He added that AREAS as a mission should take activities like launching a communication plan including hoardings, radio/tv spots encouraging the consumption of electricity through renewables.

“We will have to make people aware that this will bring down their expenses on electricity and it is good for the environment. For this, the Ministry can provide additional corpus funds to AREAS. AREAS should organise brainstorming sessions at least once in a quarter to discuss issues of the renewable energy sector and come out with possible innovative solutions,” he said.

The AREAS has been formed on MNRE initiative to interact and learn from each other’s experiences and also share their best practices and knowledge regarding technologies and schemes/programmes. It had been registered under the Society Registration Act 1860 on 27 August 2014. All SNAs (State Nodal Agencies) are a member of the Association.

Considering the importance of mutual interaction and sharing of experience and knowledge between the SNAs, steps have been taken to re-invigorate the AREAS. During the last two months, four meetings/ workshops have been organised through online platform.