India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released a draft national Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy targeting 10GW by 2022.
The country has already crossed a mark 26.8GW of wind and 7.6GW of solar power installed capacity during May 2016, according to the draft.
MNRE has now invited comments from stakeholders on the wind-solar hybrid draft, with a deadline on 30 June. The plans come after studies revealed how wind and solar projects can complement each other by minimizing the variability of the power output and easing pressure on the grid. The policy aims to encourage new technologies and methodologies for such hybrid systems.
The draft noted: “Suitable policy interventions are required not only for new wind-solar hybrid plants but also for encouraging hybridization of existing wind and solar plants.”
The policy goes on to explain various options regarding AC and DC power outputs and how to combine both wind and solar plants.
Developers of new wind-solar hybrid projects will have the option to use the hybrid power for captive use or third party sale or may sell the hybrid power to the local distribution company.
All the financial incentives currently available to wind and solar projects will still be applicable to hybrid projects. Meanwhile, low cost financing for hybrid projects may be made available through the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) and other financial institutions including multilateral banks.
The news comes the same day that the MNRE announced a scheme to set up 1GW of wind power connected to transmission network of Central Transmission Utility (CTU). Part of the plan is to supply power to non-windy states through a bidding process.
India’s well-touted overall targets are for 100GW of solar and 60GW of wind by 2022.
MNRE also recently invited comments from stakeholders on its draft ‘National Policy for Renewable Energy based Micro and Mini Grids’.