As per an official statement issued by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) on Sunday, 21 February, the approved solar parks in India have risen to 33 in 21 Indian states with an aggregate capacity of 19,900 MW. SECI’s managing director, Ashvini Kumar stated “As against 25 solar parks planned, the ministry (of new and renewable energy) has approved 33 solar parks in 21 states with aggregate capacity of 19,900 MW.”
The states have received a funding of Rs 54.93 crore out of Rs 374 crore for the setting up of solar parks. Mr Piyush Goyal, the Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister conveyed to the parliamentary consultative committee of his ministry that the installed solar power capacity in India has passed the 5,000 MW limit in January and is going to achieve the target of 18,000 MW by the end of 2017.
The minister also stated at a meeting in Tirupati that India has begun the world’s largest renewable energy programme by increasing its existing 3,500 MW five-fold to 175 GW to be attained by 2022. At the meeting, there were MPs Bharat Singh, Om Prakash Yadav, Sushil Kishore Singh and Jayadev Galla who reviewed the progress made by Solar Park Scheme and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) measures which is geared towards reducing emissions.
As per Ministry of New and Renewable Energy secretary, Upendra Tripathy, the ministry has launched many projects including Scheme for Development of Solar Parks for achieving 20 GW through ultra mega solar parks.
