Chief ministers pledge support to renewable energy, cheer investors

NEW DELHI: Chief ministers of major states pledged to increase their targets for renewable energy and encourage local manufacturing with incentives, cheering investors in the sector as local authorities have a key role in India’s aim to become a global hub in the sector.

Chief ministers from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh spoke on Friday at the 3rd edition of RE-Invest, organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. These states have significant renewable energy capacities, and announced plans to expand them further.

"Investors will be pleased to know that for solar manufacturers waivers will be given for projects. We have already provided exemptions in areas such as state GST, stamp duty, and land acquisition for both solar and wind projects," said Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.

Gehlot said the price of solar energy had fallen from Rs 16 per unit 20 years ago to Rs 2. This will surely reduce further. If we continue to involve all stakeholders— experts, investors, and policymakers, the rates will further go down" he said.

Madhya Pradesh’s chief minister, Shivraj Chouhan, said his government had ambitious plans to build on the 750 MW capacity solar project in Rewa, which was inaugurated earlier this year and is Asia's largest such initiative till date.

"We will increase our solar energy capacity from 5,000 MW to 10,000 MW, and by 2030, over 40% of the state's energy will be sourced from renewable energy," Chouhan said, adding that MP would be open to supplying nearby states sustainable energy if required.

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani said that his government continues to welcome investors and expand their already rich renewable energy portfolio, stressing on the PM's goal of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

"Gujarat has given subsidies to 55K people to install solar panels, and have a vision of achieving 5,000 MW solar and bringing solar energy in agriculture. We are keen to take forward Centre's 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' vision," said Rupani.

UP’s Yogi Adityanath echoed his fellow chief ministers' sentiments, saying that UP will continue to support open access projects. "By 2022 we plan to increase the solar energy capacity by 10,700 MW, which will consist of 6,000 MW for utility-scale and 4,000MW for rooftop solar," Adityanath added.

Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur said that although his state is bound by geographical limitations, it will try to maximise its potential using hydropower. "We are making all efforts to harness our potential. Our target is to achieve renewable energy capacity of 24,000 MW. Till now, we have produced 10,000 MW of hydropower, and plan on doubling these numbers in coming 10 years," he said.