India's solar energy promotion initiatives are Praiseworthy : UK PM

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently appreciated India's efforts regarding promotion of solar energy . Uk has seen India's solar energy initiatives as her incredible commitment for combating climate change. Uk recently co hosted Climate Ambition Summit to mark the fifth anniversary of the Paris climate agreement and during this summit UK hailed the “incredible things" being done by India in the solar energy sector . Uk in summit appreciated solar energy promotion initiatives of countries like Australia and Morocco too.

The UK had recently also announced a new commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

The UK claims this means its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Climate Agreement is now among the highest in the world and commits the country to cutting emissions at one of the fastest rates of any major economy.

Paris agreement and India's pledge :

As part of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Accord on Climate Change, India has made a pledge that by 2030, 40% of its installed power generation capacity shall be from non-fossil fuel sources and will reduce its carbon emission intensity of GDP by 33-35 % considering 2005 level. The Government has set a target to install 175 GW of renewable energy capacity in the country by the year 2022. This includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from biomass and 5 GW from small hydro power.

The Government of India has set a national target of installing 1,00,000 MW grid connected solar power capacity in the country by December, 2022. As on 31.10.2019, a total grid connected solar power generation capacity of 31,696 MW has been set up in the Country, projects of 17998 MW capacity are at various stages of installations and tenders for 36278 MW capacity projects have been issued.

Details of existing scheme launched under National solar mission :

Solar Park Scheme for setting up of over 50 Solar Parks and Ultra Mega

Solar Power Projects targeting over 40,000 MW of solar power projects.

Scheme for setting up of Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects by the Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and the Government of India organisations with Viability Gap Funding (VGF).

VGF Scheme for setting up of 5000 MW of Grid Connected Solar PV Power Projects through SECI, which has a separate component of 1000 MW for N-E states.

Installation of Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Power Plants.

Off-Grid Solar PV Scheme.

Pradhan Mantri – Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PMKUSUM) Scheme to support farmers to set up small solar power projects and solar pumps for irrigation purpose.