In talks with states for signing PPAs of 40 GW RE capacity: Pralhad Joshi

Gurugram, Apr 22 (PTI) Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday said 40 GW of renewable energy (RE) can soon come online as talks are on with states for signing power purchase agreements (PPAs).

"We are targeting 50 GW of RE capacity annually to meet the 500 GW target by 2030 , which of course includes 292 GW of solar energy", Joshi told reporters on the sidelines of inauguration of solar PV module testing facility at National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) here.

India added 29.52 GW RE capacity in 2024-25.

The New & Renewable Energy Minister said peak power demand will double in 2032 from the present levels.

The peak power demand touched an all-time high of 250 GW in May 2024. The power ministry has estimated 270 GW peak power demand during this summer.

Joshi said India needs to create innovative solutions to maximize solar energy generation from available land resources.

The minister also called for use of innovative solutions for using building materials like glass to generate solar energy from limited space available like in high-rise buildings.

He said talks are on with states to sign PPAs for 40 GW RE projects.

Joshi also said that 12 lakh households have installed rooftop solar under Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, the minister said that India has already achieve 106GW of solar and 51GW of wind energy generation capacity.

He stressed on the need for having solar electric vehicle charging stations in the country saying that presently EVs are being charged by conventional energy. Joshi opined that EVs should be charged by green energy.

He noted that with this lab, NISE is now empowered to offer comprehensive testing, calibration, and certification services, especially for photovoltaic modules and technologies where no established standards currently exist.

That makes this a pioneering facility in India, he said.

As Indian companies scale up production of large modules, this facility will ensure that Indian products meet the highest standards, he noted.

He pointed out that this lab will give a major boost to India’s PLI scheme, and to the country's ambition of becoming a global manufacturing hub.

"Back in March 2014, our installed solar capacity was just 2.82 GW. Today, we have crossed 106 GW, which is a growth of over 3,700 per cent. We had just 2 GW of solar module production in 2014. Today, we have soared to 80 GW. And by 2030, we are confident to reach 150 GW," he said.

He stated that NISE must strive to become a global institution of excellence. Its work should reflect the ambition, innovation, and resilience of New India.

"We want NISE to become a benchmark in solar R&D, testing, training, and policy support. In fact, I believe NISE should aspire to surpass even the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Germany." Today, he noted that NISE lags behind in global research impact and patent generation.

"I urge you to step up efforts in this direction.This journey demands deep research, cutting-edge innovation, and global collaboration. So I say to NISE: Build partnerships. Develop talent. Push boundaries. Let your work echo across labs, factories, and solar farms worldwide." Joshi noted that NISE is already working on new-age solar technologies like: Perovskite Solar Cells (High-efficiency, low-cost solar cells with flexible applications) and Bifacial Solar Panels (Capture sunlight on both sides to increase energy generation).

Going forward, he suggested that it should also undertake initiative for mass adoption of initiatives like AI for Solar Power Forecasting - It will help optimise solar energy production and grid integration through AI.

About the Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), he stated that he has been reading how other countries are integrating solar cells into building materials for energy-efficient urban structures.

He suggested that NISE can help India enhance its scale and scope. PTI KKS ANU

Source: PTI