The share of clean energy sources has crossed one-third in terms of India’s power generation capacity, according to the latest statistics.
As of August 31, 2020, the share of clean energy sources was 36 per cent of India’s total power generation capacity, the latest monthly report by Central Electricity Authority suggests.
Clean energy sources include all forms of renewable energy sources (which fall under the purview of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy) as well as conventional hydropower (which comes under the Ministry of Power).
It must be noted here that though “hydropower” is a clean energy source, there is some dichotomy involved. Hydropower plants of installed capacity of 25 mw or more are considered as “large” plants and these fall under the ambit of the Union power ministry. Hydropower plants of installed capacity less than 25 mw, which would include those classified as “micro”, “mini” or “small”, come under the purview of MNRE. However, both forms of hydropower are “clean” energy sources.
Installed Power Generation Capacity (MW, as of August 31, 2020) | |||||||||
Coal | Lignite | Gas | Diesel | Total Thermal | Nuclear | Hydro | RES* | Grand Total | |
State | 65,632 | 1,290 | 7,120 | 236 | 74,277 | 0 | 26,959 | 2,381 | 1,03,617 |
Private | 74,173 | 1,830 | 10,599 | 274 | 86,875 | 0 | 3,394 | 84,780 | 1,75,050 |
Central | 59,790 | 3,240 | 7,238 | 0 | 70,268 | 6,780 | 15,347 | 1,632 | 94,027 |
Total | 1,99,595 | 6,360 | 24,957 | 510 | 2,31,421 | 6,780 | 45,699 | 88,793 | 3,72,693 |
*Renewable Energy Sources |
As of August 31, 2020, India’s renewable energy capacity stood at 88,793 mw while that of hydropower stood at 45,699 mw. Together these clean forms of energy had a share of 36 per cent in India’s total power generation capacity, which was 372,693 mw.
Of the total 88,793 mw of renewable energy capacity, 43 per cent came from wind power, closely followed by solar with 40 per cent. Biomass came a distant third with a 11 per cent share.