Punjab’s power generation capacity from upcoming projects projected to increase by 5,061.75 MW over next five years
Punjab aims to boost its power generation capacity by 5,061.75 MW from renewable energy projects over the next five years, including 4,300 MW from solar, 330.75 MW from hybrid and biomass, and 431 MW from hydel projects. The state’s installed power capacity currently stands at 8,877.58 MW, with renewable energy sources generating 31.83% of the total power in 2023-24. The government is also tendering solar projects totaling 2,015 MW under the PM-KUSUM scheme to enhance energy security and support India’s non-fossil fuel goals.
Punjab is expected to boost its power generation capacity from upcoming renewable energy projects by 5,061.75 MW over the next five years. This total includes 4,300 MW from solar projects, 330.75 MW from hybrid, biomass, and mini-hydel projects, and 431 MW from hydel projects, reported The Times of India.
In response to a question from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Union Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday that “these projects are at various stages of implementation.”
Additionally, solar projects totaling 1,531 MW and 484 MW under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) are currently in the tendering phase. There are also 44.6 MW of rooftop solar projects at the tendering or bidding stage. Launched in 2019, the PM-KUSUM scheme aims to enhance energy security for farmers and support India’s goal of increasing the share of power from non-fossil-fuel sources to 40% by 2030 as part of the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).
As of June 30 this year, Punjab’s installed power capacity stands at 8,877.58 MW, according to the minister. Of this, central sector organizations manage 155.3 MW, while state sector organizations handle 3,368.8 MW. Government-managed thermal power plants in Punjab produced 11,057.82 million units in 2023-24 and 2,291.82 million units up to the end of May 2024. Government-managed renewable energy sources generated 5,163.67 million units in 2023-24 and 732.82 million units during the same period. Thus, renewable energy sources accounted for over 31.83% of the total power generation from government-managed projects in Punjab for 2023-24.
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