Why Does The West Bengal Government Not Support Solar Energy Like Other States?
Introduction:
India, the world's third-largest electricity producer, is currently confronted with a variety of development roadblocks. The key need is a lack of power, which has been greatly reduced by the government's efforts. However, rising urbanization, broad access to power, and the government's push for foundation progress and neighborhood development are all signaling a renewed interest in power. Furthermore, since development and provincial territories are linked, the need would grow. As a result, limited expansion remains a daunting challenge for the government. Different alternative vitality sources should be developed to ensure whole vitality; nevertheless, the available energies are either intermittent or location-bound. Solar energy is the primary long-term energy source in India since it is located in the tropical zone of the planet and receives 4–7 kWh of sun-oriented radiation per square meter per day.
The Solar Energy Scenario:
In India:
The Indian government and state governments recognised the importance of solar electricity by launching their own solar power initiatives. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) was launched on January 11, 2010, with a mission to convey 20 GW of on-lattice and 2 GW of off-matrix framework by 2022 in three stages. However, the goal has already been increased many times, with the goal of reaching 100 GW by the end of 2022. The goal is to generate 60 GW from on-ground solar power operations and 40 GW from a decentralized framework related to (sun-based housetop trade) or solar farms. The Indian government's motivational strategies include Central Financial Assistance (CFA), quick and backhanded tax cuts, feed-in-tax, Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), age-based incentives, and reasonability-hole subsidizing.
In West Bengal:
The West Bengal government also developed a thoughtful solar energy policy in 2014, with a goal of achieving 3 GW of solar power by 2017, of which 1.5 GW is utility-scale, 1.15 GW is from REC, and 0.35 GW is from sun-based rooftops independently (WBREDA, 2014). The West Bengal government also provided several supporting estimates, such as sponsorship, feed-in-levy, Solar Purchase Obligation (SPO), net meter, and exemption from various costs (need to mention the year). Nonetheless, achieving the goal is a long way off since there are several impediments in the path of facilitators that have a significant impact on solar power output. Facilitators are the intermediaries who connect the legislators and the customers in order to bring solar power into effect. Despite their essential role in putting solar power trade into effect, there are a number of issues that impede the growth of the solar power industry.
Sponsorships from the Central Government and the State Government are distributed through the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency, a state nodal institution (WBREDA). Postponement in the payment of subsidies causes clients to be held up for an extended period of time, creating an unfavorable perception of solar power. The many restricted time measures included in the solar power arrangement, such as net metering and SPO, are not being carried out properly. The focus on the current financial features of solar power requires many partners. Most crucially, the engineers are unable to transfer the generated electricity from the solar ranch because of the inaccessibility of the framework association. This is the many types of reasoning behind the solar power company's stalemate in West Bengal, and the facilitator concludes that the business is suspect.
The Solar Energy Policy In West Bengal:
As of January 2017, West Bengal had around 23.07MW of solar electricity connected. In the fiscal year 2016/17, more than half of this capacity, 15.30MW, was put into service. Solar power systems were built in more than 190 schools in West Bengal in 2016. The state government has big intentions, and more than 1300 government buildings, hospitals, and schools have been selected to assist in the installation of around 180MW of solar over the next few years. The objective for the fiscal year 2017-18 has been set at 120MW, and the government expects to spend around Rs 1000 crore on the project overall. Not just the villages and cities, but also the islands of Sundervans have been mentioned as having a power deficit. All large housing societies having a total contract demand of more than 500 kW will be required to install solar rooftop systems to meet at least 1.5% of their total electrical load.
Solar as a potential answer is appealing, but the state has fallen behind due to the difficulties in acquiring land for projects. A new policy is also planned in West Bengal to help set up the action plan, assisting the state in meeting the aim of 4,500 MW of solar power by the end of 2022.
Proposed And Upcoming Solar Energy Projects In West Bengal:
In light of the increased emphasis on renewable energy generation, particularly solar energy generation, in the national context, WBSEDCL has recently begun taking measures for the development of solar power projects. A distinct Solar Power Generation Department led by the Chief Engineer has been established to expedite the development of solar projects in West Bengal.
The department has developed project ideas for the execution of various large-scale solar power projects with a capacity of 10 MW throughout the state.
The canal bank solar power plant (10 MW) at Teesta Canal Fall Hydro Electric Power Plant, Stage II in Uttar Dinajpur district is nearing completion. A tender will be issued soon for three 10 MW solar power projects in Purulia and Bankura districts.
A detailed project report for the building of a total 500 MW solar park in stages is being created for the Purba and Paschim Medinipur districts, as well as the Bankura district. The DPR for the first phase, with an estimated capacity of 210 MW, has been completed at Dadanpatrabar, Purba Medinipur.
A concept for the construction of a 1200 MW (3 x 300 MW) Solar PV Power Project has also been proposed to provide clean pumping power to current and new pumped storage systems in West Bengal's Purulia area.
WBSEDCL has started implementing rooftop solar PV projects in government and government-aided schools and colleges. The installation of 10 kWp rooftop solar PV plants at 100 schools in various districts is already complete.
In several districts around the state, a programme to install rooftop solar PV systems of 10 kWp each at 200 schools has been launched.
Rooftop Solar A project with a total capacity of 5 MW has also been begun under IPDS for implementation at various WBSEDCL substations and offices, as well as other government buildings, in urban areas of 18 West Bengal districts.
Solar Subsidy In West Bengal:
A Central Government Subsidy/Support is offered through MNRE. The subsidy offered for grid-connected solar rooftop power plant installation is 30% of the benchmark cost. The subsidy would not be available to government entities, including PSUs. Instead, they will be offered performance-based incentives and awards. All residential and institutional buildings, such as schools and healthcare facilities, as well as the social sector, can use CFA.
Because the scheme will be operated by WBSEDCL, residential users who desire to receive a subsidy (CFA) must contact one of the WBSEDCL impaneled vendors (listed below) and entrust the installation of a rooftop solar plant to them in order to obtain the WBSEDCL subsidy benefit.
The beneficiary would be allowed to install an RTS (Rooftop Solar) system through any of the empanelled vendors (listed below) after deducting the appropriate CFA amount, i.e., paying the vendors the L1 price comparable to the installation capacity (provided above). The vendor will file a claim for the CFA with the implementing agency.
List of DISCOMS in West Bengal:
- Calcutta Electricity Supply Co.(CESC)
- Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)
- Dishergarh Power Co. Ltd.
- Durgapur Project Limited
- WBSEDCL
Procedure to avail subsidy:
- The following are the processes to apply for a solar subsidy:
- The region was surveyed. You may arrange an engineer visit from this website.
- The system's capacity, price, and performance analysis
- Purchase and install a solar power system.
- Make a request for a Net Metering account.
- You'll be eligible for a solar subsidy after 30 days after rooftop solar panel installation.
Final Words:
After 2008, solar power gained traction as one of the eight goals identified by the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) to reduce carbon emissions in India. Despite the fact that there are a number of impediments that make facilitators less interested in the solar power sector, the Indian government has taken a number of initiatives to increase solar power output. However, if these precautionary measures are not correctly implemented, they will become disturbing elements.
Direct subsidies are the most essential tool for improving the solar power sector in the majority of industrialized countries. However, the facilitators do not get the direct subsidy on time, and as a result, the majority of the facilitators request that the administration withdraw sponsorship since it has a detrimental impact on solar-based electricity. As a result, the government must simplify the payment of subsidies related to solar photovoltaic materials and solar design in order to cheer up solar power project facilitators.
A number of provisions included in the strategy are still on file. Nonetheless, the government must take the first steps toward adopting a comprehensive framework to alleviate the challenges connected with the solar power industry. Net metering installations are critical for transferring excess solar power produced to the grid. If a promoter has a net metre, he may bank up extra power generation for the grid for a period of twelve months, and this excess electricity can then be delivered in a variety of locations by the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL).