Christopher ZeniosMinister RK Singh recently stated in a meeting between other ministers of energy that India would achieve 200 gigawatts of operational green energy capacity by 2022. So far the nation has already 128 gigawatts in operation which means they are ahead of schedule.
Currently, there are 31 gigawatts of capacity being executed, 35 gigawatts of capacity will be auctioned and another 13 gigawatts of hydropower that are under construction, which means that the Indian government is confident that the renewable energy capacity will surpass 200 gigawatts by late 2022.
RK Singh wanted to make it clear about these facts, after doubts were raised by CRISIL, a rating agency, about India not being able to reach their initial objective of 175-gigawatt capacity by early 2022. The agency argued that they would reach 104 gigawatts and miss their target by 42%. Furthermore, renegotiations of renewable energy tariffs and delayed payments to developers also threatened the progress towards the initial objective.
According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the report
“is neither factually correct nor takes into account initiatives taken by the MNRE to facilitate accelerated development and deployment of renewable energy in the country … doubts are ill-founded and not reflective of the status on the ground and plans ahead.”
CRYSIL did not take into consideration the 45 gigawatts of hydropower capacity currently in operation. And if these are included then renewable capacity is increased to 130 gigawatts, which is only 25% short of the target of 175 gigawatts.
Even though doubts persist from rating agencies, the MNRE remain consistent and feel they will overachieve on the set target and 200 gigawatts by 2022 objective.
