Indian coal-based thermal power plants could see their capacity utilisation drop by as much 48% by 2022 as more renewable energy capacity comes on line, says a report by the Central Electricity Authority. While coal-fired power generation is expected to grow by 4% and nuclear by 2.43% in 2017-2018, in the longer term the authority predicts that renewables will begin to push thermal generation off the grid, hitting earnings for coal-fired power plants as well as reducing efficiency because plants are designed to run at 85% capacity or more. Solar capacity in India crosses just over 5 GW threshold India's installed solar energy capacity has reached just over 5 GW, according to recently released government and market data. When current Prime Minster Narendra Modi's government came to power in 2014, it revised the country's renewable energy targets from 20 GW to 175 GW of clean energy by 2022. Of this total, just over 50 GW will be derived from solar capacity. This year, India is expected to add 10 GW of new solar. From next year, the country is likely to become the world's third-largest solar market behind China and the US, according to a report by green energy consultancy Bridge to India. Indian energy regulator proposes cheaper renewables certificates India’s Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has drafted proposals for a lower cost Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) to boost power companies’ ability to meet their obligations for green energy use. Solar RECs should fall to INR1 ($0.015) per unit from INR3.5 per unit, with forbearance costs (the difference in price between CERC-controlled certificates and what is paid on the market) reduced from INR5.8 to INR2.5. The distribution companies must meet the government's renewable energy purchase obligations, but the expense of RECs has deterred many. The CERC hopes that the lowered prices will boost the solar industry and enable more utilities to use greener energy.
Indian coal-based thermal power plants could see their capacity utilisation drop by as much 48% by 2022 as more renewable energy capacity comes on line, says a report by the Central Electricity Authority. While coal-fired power generation is expected to grow by 4% and nuclear by 2.43% in 2017-2018, in the longer term the authority predicts that renewables will begin to push thermal generation off the grid, hitting earnings for coal-fired power plants as well as reducing efficiency because plants are designed to run at 85% capacity or more. Solar capacity in India crosses 10 GW threshold India's installed solar energy capacity has reached 10 GW, according to recently released government and market data. When current Prime Minster Narendra Modi's government came to power in 2014, it revised the country's renewable energy targets from 20 GW to 175 GW of clean energy by 2022. Of this total, 100 GW will be derived from solar capacity. This year, India is expected to add just over 5 GW of new solar. From next year, the country is likely to become the world's third-largest solar market behind China and the US, according to a report by green energy consultancy Bridge to India. Indian energy regulator proposes cheaper renewables certificates India’s Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has drafted proposals for a lower cost Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) to boost power companies’ ability to meet their obligations for green energy use. Solar RECs should fall to INR1 ($0.015) per unit from INR3.5 per unit, with forbearance costs (the difference in price between CERC-controlled certificates and what is paid on the market) reduced from INR5.8 to INR2.5. The distribution companies must meet the government's renewable energy purchase obligations, but the expense of RECs has deterred many. The CERC hopes that the lowered prices will boost the solar industry and enable more utilities to use greener energy.