Thursday, March 06, 2014: The government of India (GOI) is aiming to build nearly 1,000 MW (1 GW) of solar power capacity installations across the country, this year. This capacity addition will be added to the capacity added in the years, 2013 and 2012. While this estimate is much less than the earlier aimed capacity of 2.8 GW.
According to Screen Print India, Mercom Capital Group, a consulting firm, has predicted this estimate addition to the solar power capacity of the country. However, the company also said that none of this capacity will come from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), the flagship programme of GOI to promote solar energy in India.
Mercom Capital stated that due to regulatory hurdles and policy delays, which are further added by speculations over approaching Lok Sabha elections, there will not be any contribution from the solar mission.
It is likely that most of the solar installations will come from the individual state solar power programs.
Recently, many state approved solar power installations have begun construction. In the central state of Madhya Pradesh, the country’s the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant was approved. The projects approved under the Rajasthan solar policy are likely to be commissioned, as well.
Moreover, some projects in Karnataka may also be commissioned. The state has completed two rounds of auctions under its solar power policy. A utility-scale project may also be commissioned in Odisha, and a large solar power project in Maharashtra is also scheduled to be commissioned.
On the other hand, expectations over additions in the solar thermal power sector are evident. Seven solar thermal power projects were allocated under the first phase of JNNSM. While, only one of these projects has been commissioned, and the other six are scheduled for this year.
