Renewable energy generation was up 5.5 per cent year-on-year in the first three quarters of FY21, according to recent statistics released by Central Electricity Authority.
Generation during the aforementioned period was 110,888 MU as against 105,074 MU in the first three quarters of FY20.
During the month of December 2020, for which detailed statistics are available, total renewable generation was almost stagnant when compared with December 2019. The generation figure for December 2020 was 10,711 MU and that for December 2019 was 10,705 MU.
In December 2020, solar energy was the biggest contributor to total renewable energy generation, with a share of 42.3 per cent. Wind energy had a 32 per cent share. The remaining 26 per cent came from other sources like biomass, small hydropower, etc.
Gujarat reported the highest wind power generation among all states in December 2020, while Karnataka had the same distinction with respect to solar power generation.
Gujarat recorded wind power generation of 1,000 MU in December 2020 while Karnataka’s solar energy output was 1,119 MU in the same month. Gujarat, the top generator, accounted for 29 per cent of total wind power generation. First ranker Karnataka had a share of 25 per cent in total solar power output in December 2020.
Following Gujarat in terms of wind energy generation were Karnataka, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, in that order. After Karnataka, the leader in solar energy generation in December 2020, came Rajasthan, Telangana and Gujarat, in respective order.
Taking solar and wind power generation, in combination, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Karnataka had sizeable contributions.
The entire eastern India (Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, etc) and the northeastern region made no contribution, either in terms of wind or solar power generation, during December 2020.
Regional distribution
In terms of broad regions, the southern region had the biggest share of nearly 50 per cent in renewable energy generation during December 2020. (Here only the combined generation of solar and wind have been taken into account; other sources have not been included). In the same reckoning, western India had a 32 per cent share followed by the northern region with 18 per cent.
(Note: MU = million units = million kwh = Gwh; FY21 runs from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021)
