Rajasthan Aims For 25 GW Solar Capacity By FY 2022

• The state government of Rajasthan has issued its draft policies for solar and wind power development
• 25 GW of grid connected solar power capacity has been fixed as the target to be achieved by FY 2021-22 under the draft solar policy
• For hybrid wind and solar power generation capacity, the initial target is for 500 MW to be realized by FY 2022
• Till September 20, 2019 interested stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions to RRECL on the two drafts

Famous as India's desert state and a major tourist destination, Rajasthan is getting serious about its renewable energy position vis-à-vis other states. The new administration under state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot aims to have 25 GW of grid connected solar power project capacity of the national 100 GW target to be achieved by FY 2021-2022.

The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL) has proposed this target in the Draft Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy, 2019 in order to fulfil the renewable purchase obligation (RPO) of state electricity distribution companies (discoms). It will also be developed through small decentralized grid connected solar power projects at load centers, rooftop solar projects with net metering mechanism, solar with storage systems, off-grid solar application, promotion of solar powered charging stations, solar parks among others. The state also plans to promote manufacturing of solar energy equipment within the state under the draft policy.

Recently, Gehlot invited a visiting Japanese business delegation to invest in the state including in the field of solar energy.

With RRECL as the nodal agency for implementation of the policy, the state will promote setting up of solar plants for captive use or third party power sales for consumers within the state as well as for sales outside the state. Development of solar parks by private sector developers will also be encouraged under the policy, even through joint ventures with the state government.

Another draft policy titled Rajasthan Wind and Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2019 sets an initial target of 500 MW of wind-solar hybrid power projects up to FY 2021-22. Capacity allocated through a competitive bidding process will sell electricity generated to discoms, provide it for captive use or sale to third parties within or outside the state through open access.

Plants will be developed as  so-called Type-A projects where conversion of existing or under construction wind and solar projects into hybrid projects will be attempted. New hybrid projects are tagged Type-B projects that are not yet registered with the RRECL. Fiscal and financial incentives available to wind and solar power projects will be available for hybrid projects as well.

Interested stakeholders have time till September 20, 2019 to submit their comments and suggestions on the draft policies.

As per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) at the central government level, till July 31, 2019 Rajasthan had total on-grid solar power capacity of more than 3.7 GW.