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Cumulative solar installations in India reach 3,000MW mark |
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CHENNAI: Cumulative solar installations in India have crossed the 3000-megawatt (MW) mark with 734 MW installed so far this year, a 20% drop from the previous year caused by land acquisition delays due to elections and uncertainty caused by the anti-dumping case, according to a report by Mercom Capital Group, a global clean energy communications and consulting firm.
Next year, however, installations are expected to double, reaching approximately 1,800MW, according to the report.
"The Indian solar industry is visibly upbeat since the elections and especially after getting past the anti-dumping case. Recent cancellations of coal mining licences by the Supreme Court amid rising coal imports and increasing costs, and continuing power shortages have all contributed to the positive momentum in the solar sector," Raj Prabhu, CEO and co-founder of Mercom Capital Group, said.
The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has released a new installation goal of 15000MW by 2019 via solar parks (a large area and infrastructure set aside by states to accommodate installations of 500-1,000MW) to be set up by states in three tranches.
A revised draft for Phase II, Batch 2, Tranche I Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) projects was released with a target of 3,000MW.
In addition to this, a new programme aimed at "ultra mega solar projects" with a goal of installing 20,000MW by establishing solar parks was announced recently.
The MNRE has also asked public sector units (PSUs) to set up large solar projects. The MNRE was also working on a plan to increase JNNSM installation goal to a staggering 1,00,000MW of solar power, the Mercom report said.
However, for the projects announced so far challenges have been of execution and uncertainty due to the lack of long-term market visibility.
A renewed government focus to address these challenges would give confidence to the markets and help attract sorely needed foreign investments, Mercom said.
"That said, prospects for the Indian solar sector have never looked better and the Modi administration's strong commitment towards solar has percolated to states, evidenced by the sense of urgency and seriousness being shown by state administrations towards solar, the likes of which we have not seen in the last five years," Mercom said.
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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