Mumbai, July 16 -- Gujarat has emerged as India's leading renewable energy state with a total installed renewable energy capacity of 50.386 GW, according to the Chief Minister's Office. The capacity includes 15,850.56 megawatt (MW) of wind power and 32,302.7 megawatt (MW) of solar power, and the state accounts for 17.82 per cent of India's total renewable energy capacity. The state ranks first in installed wind capacity and second in solar capacity.
Gujarat has also installed more than 1.3 million (mn) rooftop solar systems generating 7,408.10 megawatt (MW). Ground mounted solar projects account for 23,259.27 megawatt (MW) of the state's solar capacity, while hybrid projects contribute 1,434.66 megawatt (MW) and off grid systems, including those under the PM KUSUM scheme, add 200.48 megawatt (MW). Major solar parks such as Charanka, Radhanesda and Dholera continue to strengthen the renewable energy ecosystem.
The Khavda Renewable Energy Park in Kutch is being developed as the world's largest renewable energy park with a planned capacity of 37.35 GW, of which 15.54 GW has already been commissioned. The state has commissioned 2,838.07 megawatt (MW) of wind solar hybrid projects under its renewable energy policies. To facilitate project implementation the government has launched the Akshay Urja Setu online portal for streamlined grid connectivity and approvals.
There are 1,531 renewable energy projects currently under development as the state pursues a target of achieving 105 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. This ambition is presented as part of broader support for the national aim of reaching 500 GW of non fossil fuel energy capacity. The sector has created an estimated 0.237 million (mn) direct and indirect jobs and continues to attract investment in both utility scale and distributed generation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.