Govt to power 24x7 clean energy drive, vows Goyal

after making mark in the global platform in power sector the Government of India is now focusing more on 24x7 affordable "Clean Power" for all by resolving some cases of stressed renewable power projects.

While speaking to media here on Monday the Union Minister of State (I/C) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines Piyush Goyal said that his ministry is actively in touch with all stakeholders, from state Discoms to bankers.

"To resolve the NPAs (non-performing assets) of the power sector and I am assuring the nation that this will result in a further benefit to consumers through Discoms being able to provide cheaper tariff," he added. "We are close to resolution of stressed thermal power projects soon where developers are not willful defaulters," the minister also added.

Adding further he also said that the ministry is also working on reviving stalled hydro projects which are already discussed extensively with bankers and stakeholders.

The minister has also requested the state governments to take over the debts of such projects as part of a joint Centre-state initiative to revive these.

Like his ministry has asked West Bengal government to either provide PPA to Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station under DVC or to give NOC so that other PSUs can work that will generate more power and will help the consumer.

According to the government data the wind power capacity has been increased to 32 GW in March 2017 from 21 GW in March 2014. Even the government is also planning for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV system, better grid stability and optimal utilization of transmission infrastructure.

On the other hand India marked 370% solar capacity growth in the last three years and 130% growth in concentrated solar thermal (CST) from 23,000 sq. mts. in 2014 TO 53,000 sq. mts. of collector areas, the government data shows.

The Power Ministry and the Niti Aayog, are also jointly working on a policy for the next 25 years to ensure energy security, Goyal said. He expects renewable energy capacity to surpass thermal power by 2022. The government has taken up largest expansion program of renewable energy of 175 GW till 2022.