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.
Here are some other highlights:
- Renewable energy capacity (falling under MNRE) had a share of nearly 24 per cent. Most of this capacity (95 per cent) was under private ownership.
- Thermal power plants (all forms: including coal, lignite, gas and diesel) accounted for 62 per cent of India’s total power generation capacity.
- Of the thermal capacity, a preponderant 86 per cent came from coal-fired power plants. Coal-based power plants account for just over half of India’s total power generation capacity. It should also be noted that their share in terms of power generation is much higher.
- Of India’s total installed power generation capacity (from all sources, as of August 31, 2020), 47 per cent was under private ownership. State government entities owned 28 per cent while Central agencies accounted for the remaining 25 per cent.
- Nuclear power plants (an absolute Central government prerogative) had a combined capacity of 6,780 mw, making up of less than 2 per cent of India’s total power generation capacity, as of August 31, 2020.
- It is interesting to observe that even with respect to coal-fired power plants, private entities have a higher share than state or Central entities, in terms of installed capacity. Of the total 1,99,595 mw of coal-fired capacity as of August 31, 2020, private entities owned 37 per cent, followed by state government agencies with 33 per cent and Central, with 30 per cent.
