Ministry of new and renewable energy is aiming to more than double India's renewable power generation capacity by 2017. Presently, around 12.5% of the total installed power generation capacity comes from renewable energy with over 26,000 MW installed capacity, Gireesh Pradhan, new and renewable energy minister said.
Pradhan was addressing a two day ASEAN-India Workshop on Cooperation in Renewable Energy. "We aim to achieve about 55000 MW of renewable power by 2017. Our renewable energy programme is primarily private sector driven and offers significant investment and business opportunities," he said.
He added that the government is encouraging foreign investors to set up renewable power projects on 'Build Own Operate' basis with 100% foreign direct investment.
Under the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission over 1,000 MW of solar power capacity has been added. "Our aim for 2022 includes 20,000 MW of grid connected, 2000 MW of off-grid solar power and connecting over 20 million rural households with solar home lighting," Pradhan told.