More than 4,000 MW of grid-connected renewable energy power projects were set up in 2014-15, beating the targets by 8.5 per cent. At the end of March 2015, India had 35,777 MW of renewable energy capacity.

The highlight of the year was the addition in solar capacity, which stood at a record 1,112 MW, compared with the 948 MW achieved in 2013-14 and slightly higher than the target of 1,100 MW.

A comparison of installations figures at the end of December 2014 and March 2015 shows that 979 MW of wind and 681 MW of solar capacities were added in the January-March quarter of 2014-15. These work out to 42 per cent and 61 per cent, respectively, of the total wind and solar capacities installed in 2014-15.

The outlook for renewable energy for the current fiscal appears to be bright. Wind industry expects 3,000 MW of capacity addition in the current year. The Chairman of the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers’ Association, Madhusudhan Khemka, says the industry missed about 400 MW of orders last year due to delays in signing power purchase agreements in some states, notably Maharashtra and Rajasthan. These orders will happen in the current year.

Going by the number of power purchase agreements signed by solar power developers, solar installations in the current year will touch the 3,000-MW mark.

Bridge to India, an India-centric solar consultancy, believes 3,000 MW is possible, given that only three states—Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh—have signed up power purchase agreements with developers of 1,500 MW.

Then there is the federal government’s National Solar Mission under which 700 MW could come up. Further, the northern states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have signed up for 500 MW. Tamil Nadu has an open programme currently under way and so far at least 200 MW have been awarded.

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