The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has informed the Cabinet that the progress in implementing the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission is “satisfactory” and according to schedule.
The Ministry on Tuesday apprised the Cabinet on the progress of the mission during the last year. The Ministry has sanctioned 802 MW capacity of grid-connected solar projects and 36 MW of off-grid solar projects.
In addition, six major research projects include setting up of National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education at IIT-Bombay.
On November 19, 2009, the Cabinet had approved a target to set up 1,100 MW grid-connected solar plants, including 100-MW capacity plants as rooftop and other small solar power for the first phase of the mission till March 2013.
In addition, a target of 200-MW capacity equivalent off-grid solar applications and seven million sq. m solar-thermal collector area were also approved.
“Successful completion of these projects under the mission would accelerate the process of achieving grid-tariff parity for solar power and also help reduce consumption of kerosene and diesel, which is presently in use to meet the unmet demand,” the Ministry said.
The mission was launched by the Government last year as a part of National Action Plan on Climate Change with a view to develop an enabling policy framework for deployment of 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022 and 2,000 MW-equivalent off-grid solar applications.
The mission would be implemented in three phases.