Wind-Solar Hybrid

As of June 30, the country installed 90.5 GW of renewable energy capacity from solar (utility-scale and rooftop), wind and biomass resources. 

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has specified how procurement of back-up grid capacity will work for electricity distribution companies. The rules consider energy storage solely as part of the 51% clean energy requirement, and instead contemplate coal – with a variable price tariff element – as necessary for evening out supply.

The 15 MW wind-solar project—set up in captive mode—will meet close to 70% of Cargill’s Davangere facility’s electricity needs. 

The global hybrid energy market, including energy storage, is projected to touch $40 billion by 2025. It is an opportunity that India has capitalized upon, earlier than others.

The state—which commissioned an aggregate 3530.74 MW solar capacity as of May 31, 2020—will set up the new plants to ensure nine hours of free power supply to the agriculture sector.

Almost 10 GW of hybrid generation capacity is already under implementation despite India having only 100 MW of combined wind and PV projects at present, according to analyst Crisil.

The recently concluded 400 MW renewables auction to supply 24-hour electricity saw winning bid of INR2.90/kWh—a new milestone after peak+off-peak tariff of INR4.07 was achieved in January’s 1.2 GW auction demanding assured power supply during peak demand hours.

The developer can opt for solar, wind or an hybrid facility alongside an energy storage system to ensure 24-hour power supply.

Developers are also expected to drag their heels over project completion during the first half of the year as the safeguarding duty applied to imported Chinese and Malaysian solar products is due to expire at the end of July.

The state budget for 2020-21 has also allocated Rs 125 crore under Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Yojana to solarize 18,500 grid-connected pumps and for standalone offgrid solar power agriculture pumps.