Delhi to add 1,000 MW Solar to its energy mix by 2019

Delhi power minister is aiming to have 15% renewable energy by 2019. Delhi government will buy solar power from plants to be installed across the country in next one and half years.

November 6, 2017 Sraisth

Delhi would only buy the power generated from the solar plants, which would be installed elsewhere in the country.

Image: Kenueone/Pixabay

Satyendar Kumar Jain, Delhi’s Power Minister, said that Delhi would have around 1,000 GW of renewable energy by 2019, reducing the burden on conventional non-renewable energy resources, the India Times has reported.

The decision to switch to clean energy agreed after six months of deliberations with three state DISCOMs and the power ministry of India.

Delhi would only buy the power generated from the solar plants, which would be installed elsewhere in the country. SECI will take care of the tender process for installation over the next three months.

“The whole process will take around 1 to 1.5 years by when the peak demand 6,500MW will also go up. Through this agreement, we are not only trying to meet the growing demand but also doing it in an eco-friendly manner,” Jain added.

According to market experts, out of Delhi’s total power demand, only 100 MW comes from Solar. Realizing the clean energy importance and the recent reduction in solar input costs has facilitated the move. The ministry has estimated that this solar power to cost about INR 3 ($0.46)/kWh, lower than the conventional energy that costs on an average INR 5.5 ($0.85)/kWh.

“Around 1.5 years back, when we were attempting to execute such a project, the cost was around INR 6-6.5(~$1.0)/kWh,” Jain said.

Jain also added that his department had approved additional subsidies to Delhi farmers for solar pumps installation.

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