Renewable Energy sources in Rajasthan

Out of the installed capacity of around 15,538 MW from various renewable energy sources in the country as on 31.10.2009, a capacity of around 792 MW (comprising of 23.85 MW Small hydro power, 735.40 MW wind power, 31.30 MW Biomass power and 0.15 MW Solar power) has been set up in Rajasthan.

This includes a capacity of around 396 MW capacity (380 MW wind power and 16 MW biomass power) during last three years.

5400 MW from wind energy, 63 MW from small hydro, 10 MW from biomass power and 62 MW from waste to energy have been estimated for grid-interactive renewable power generation capacity in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan receives solar radiation in the range of 5.5 to 6.8 kWh per sq. m. On average about 35 MW capacity solar plant can be installed on 1 sq. km. land area in Rajasthan. 2 no. grid connected solar power plants of 150 kWp capacity are installed in Rajasthan, which are expected to generate about 0.25 million units/ annum.

So far, no grid connected solar PV power plant, based on third generation solar PV technologies, has been installed in Rajasthan.

The Government is promoting renewable power generation through a mix of fiscal and financial incentives and other policy/regulatory measures. These include capital/ interest subsidy, accelerated depreciation and nil/ concessional excise and customs duties.

Under the Electricity Act 2003, it has been made obligatory upon State Electricity Regulatory Authorities to fix a minimum percentage for purchase of electricity from renewable sources taking into account local factors.

Preferential tariff for grid interactive renewable power is being given in most potential States following the provisions made under the National Electricity Policy 2005 and National Tariff Policy 2006. Uniform guidelines by CERC for fixation of such preferential tariffs have been issued recently.

State-run agency Rajasthan Renewable Energy said the government there plans to spend $1.6 billion on renewable energy projects.

The Rajasthan government has signed agreements with 14 companies to build wind and biomass plants that are expected to be operational by 2011 or 2012. Rajasthan is one of India’s 10 states to adopt the renewable energy requirement. Nineteen have not.

The state is already one of the leading producers of wind power in India, with an estimated capacity of 5,400 megawatts. The newest plans include five wind-energy projects with a combined power generation capacity of 1,600 megawatts, which are planned for Jaisalmer, Barmer and Jodhpur.

Eight biomass projects are planned for the Tonk, Sirohi, Baran, Alwar, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Nagaur, Hanumangarh and Jalore districts.

Rajasthan already has an installed capacity of 492 MW of wind energy at five sites in Jaisalmer, Devgarh and Phalodi. Today’s biomass capacity is 46 MW.

Rajasthan’s $1.6 billlion in agreements include:
* $1 billion worth of wind-energy plants to be built by Suzlon Energy (BOM: 532667) subsidiary Suzlon Gujarat Wind Park.
* $218 million in supplies from Aurich, Germany-based turbine manufacturer Enercon’s subsidiary, Enercon India.
* $181 million in a deal with Wish Wind Infrastructure.

In November, the Indian state of Haryana announced plans to spend Rs 3,777 crore ($777 million USD) to increase its renewable energy contribution to 10 percent using 715 MW of solar, biomass, wind and small hydro

Generation Based Incentives Scheme on a pilot basis for Solar Power have also been introduced to attract private investment by Independent Power Producers not availing Accelerated Depreciation benefit.

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www.rajenergy.com/WindEnergy.htm