India to add 30,000 MW of renewable energy by 2017: Abdullah

New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS) A target of adding about 30,000 MW from various renewable energy sources has been fixed for the 12th Plan period (2012-17), parliament was informed Monday.

New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah informed the Rajya Sabha that total power generation capacity of around 26,267 MW from renewable energy has been set up in the country as of October 2012.

“A target of adding about 30,000 MW from various renewable energy sources has been fixed for the 12th Plan period,” said Abdullah.

He said a report prepared by a World Bank team in 2010 had stated that India could produce about 68,000 MW of power from wind, bio-mass and small hydro power resources at a cost less than Rs.6 per unit.

“The report had also brought out barriers and gave suggestions for tapping renewable energy potential in India. The government has taken cognizance of the suggestions made in this report in addition to other inputs while formulating the 12th Five Year Plan for the renewable energy sector,” Abdullah said.

The minister said that renewable energy is promoted by giving a mix of fiscal and financial incentives.

IANS 2012-12-10 22:50:05