Cement Energy and Environment

-, efficient and transparent e-bidding and e– auctioning processes. It will also facilitate fulfilment of Non-Solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) requirement of non-windy states. The Scheme will be implemented for setting up 1,000 MW capacity of CTU-connected wind power projects by wind project developers on build, own, and operate basis. However, the capacity may go higher than 1,000 MW, if there is higher demand from Discoms of non-windy states. Courtesy: Akshay Urja, Volume 10, Issue 1, August 2016 Solar HARNESSING THE SUN India to touch 15 GWsolar power production by March 2017 India is expected to add six GW of solar production this fiscal to take the total solar power generation capacity to 15 GW by March 2017. India is also likely to double its module and cells manufacturing capacity to 10,000 MW and 2,000 MW in the next couple of years. Ever since the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, declared energy a top priority in 2015, the solar market has boomed. The country has already implemented numerous projects, while many more are currently underway or at the planning stage. An additional five GW of PV capacity to be installed in 2016, which would make solar energy the fastest growing generator of renewable energy in India. This trend has been accelerated by the falling cost of solar modules. Rs.5000 crore has also been ear marked for National Solar Mission for 4200 MW solar rooftop systems over the next five years across the nation. 50 SOLAR CITIES The government has approved a proposed master plan to develop 50 solar cities, for which master plans have been prepared for 46. Out of the proposed 60 solar cities, sanctions have been issued for 50 cities that include New Delhi, Agra, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Amritsar, New Town (Kolkata), Howrah, Madhyamgram, Kochi and Bhopal. Master plans have been prepared for 46, including Agra, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat, Thane, Shirdi, Nagpur, Aurangabad, lmphal, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad , Bilaspur, Raipur, Agartala, Guwahati, Jorhat, Mysore, Shimla, Hamirpur, Jodhpur, Vijayawada , Ludhiana, Amritsar, Dehradun, Panaji and New Delhi (NDMC area). The criteria set for identification of such cities include a population between 50 ,000 to 50 lakh (with relaxation given to special category states including north east states), initiatives and regulatory measures already taken along with a high level of commitment in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy. POWER FOR ALL BY 2018 Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal has Seeked States' Cooperation For 100 per cent electrification by 2018.Goyal has sought cooperation from the states to implement various schemes and asked them to expedite the process of mining lease auction as well as the formation of District Minerals Fund. He asked them to pay up the dues of wind and solar power firms, speaking at a conference of ministers of various states for Power, New and Renewable Energy and Mines. "Our ministry has taken up the task of intensive electrification. We made a commitment in the past that every household will get connection by the end of 2018. Thus, I urge states to expedite their efforts, as only two years are left," said Goyal, adding that the states must clamp down on illegal power connections too. "We are making use of satellite technology for faster exploration in mining sector. We have recently completed e-auction of 16 mines. I request all the states to expedite such auctions." Courtesy: The Economic Times, 19.10.2016, Pg. No. 13 4 STATES, UTS LIKELY TO GET SOLAR POWER AT RS 3 A UNIT Sops help bidders from Chandigarh, Puducherry, HP & Uttarakhand quote lowest prices; Gujarat is costliest Residents of Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry and Uttarakhand will be able to buy solar power at Rs 3 per unit the lowest tariff in India · from panels installed on their rooftops without having to shell out a penny. 57