The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE or the
Ministry) aims to attain a sustainable growth in the country by securing the
energy needs through renewable energy (RE) sources such as solar, biomass,
water, wind etc.
Along with the support to large scale RE, the Ministry
promotes decentralized solutions based on sources such as solar, biomass,
biogas, wind, small hydro etc. for meeting the lighting needs, other
electricity and thermal requirements especially in rural areas through separate
programmes.
Over time, based on national developmental goals, these
programmes have been reformed to focus on the replacement of fossil fuels, and
providing energy access to the unserved and underserved populace. Access to affordable
and reliable electricity is crucial for spurring social and economic progress
in rural India, and for meeting developmental aspirations.
As per the International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook
2015 report, India has 237 million people that have no access to electricity. The
Government has delivered significant progress on rural electrification in the
recent past through grid extension, however a large number of households in
rural areas still have no access to electricity. Decentralized RE solutions are
being deployed to address the last mile access challenge in rural areas in many
parts of the country.
With reducing costs and increasing efficiencies of RE
technologies, RE based Micro and Mini grids solutions are being perceived as a
durable solution – able to provide reliable and cost-effective energy service, cater
to productive and commercial loads, accommodate future loads, and connect with
grid and feed surplus power if needed.
Already, a few Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) have
successfully deployed micro and mini grid projects in the country and many
others are in the process of determining a viable business model. The Ministry wants
ESCOs to implement RE based micro and mini grid projects, and in order to
propel its deployment in the country it is empaneling interested parties as
Rural Energy Service Providers (RESPs).
The RESPs will earn certain privileges for implementation
under the Ministry’s programmes. Certainly, many more such supporting and practical
measures will be required to encourage ESCOs and investors in to the micro and
mini grid space. The Ministry is keen on working with States (and State Nodal
Agencies) to build a supportive ecosystem for development – an environment able
to minimize the risk associated with such investments, and mobilize capital.
As micro and mini grids are main streamed, it will enable in
meeting the goals of reducing dependency on fossil fuels, providing clean power
to rural households, and meeting their aspirational needs.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued draft
National Policy for Renewable Energy based Micro and Mini grids. Comments are invited
by 20 June 2016.
The link to download the policy is: http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/draft-national-Mini_Micro-Grid-Policy.pdf
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