What is instore for Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM)

What is instore for Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) - Phase II

What is instore for Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) - Phase II

The much awaited Phase II of the most ambitious sustainable energy mission-JNNSM is very soon expected to roll out for prospective players in the industry. The focus is being diversified into domains in both technological and economical aspects. All previously introduced schemes are under consideration and are scrutinised for maximum benefits that can be achieved from each of these schemes. Capacity allocations may vary widely between each of the schemes depending upon their implementation methodology and the ease in which they benefit both generators(owner) and end user. A review of what actually is in store for JNNSM Phase-II is presented in brief below. These are only tentative as on date updated with the concerned ministry and are subject to change with progress of time.

(Also Read Review of what has JNNSM Phase-I embarked upon in the past)

(Also Read JNNSM Phase-II to Mind these Facts Before Unveiling)

Grid connected Projects: MNRE is proposing a minimum target of adding of at least 9,000 MW solar capacity to grid during Phase-ll. Under this target of 9,000 MW, at least 3,000 MW will be developed under Central scheme and at least 6,000 MW under State schemes. This capacity will be further split as per technology i.e. Solar PV and Solar Thermal. Under Central scheme solar PV will be at least 2,500 MW whereas solar thermal may be 500 MW. Similarly, under State schemes, 5,500 MW of solar PV and 500 MW of solar thermal capacity is proposed to be developed. However, the breakup in between Solar PV and Solar Thermal may change depending upon advancement in technologies, response and price trend.

Unlike Phase-I, JNNSM Phase-ll aims for achieving significantly higher scales of targets. Hence, Ministry is contemplating all possible options for implementation of the Mission. Selection of capacity for Phase-ll, grid connected projects will be done via different schemes such as Bundling, Generation Based Incentive (GBI), Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and Low Cost Financing Scheme will be implemented in a manner similar to Phase-I.

Each scheme shall have specific capacity allocation targets. Proposed capacity for GBI and Bundling scheme are 200 MW and 500 MW respectively whereas 2,300 MW is proposed to be implemented via VGF scheme. This allocation of target capacity may be altered depending upon the availability of resources.
Rooftop PV programmes: Phase-ll would focus on rooftop PV systems both at Grid and Off-Grid levels in the country. Power generated by these systems would be utilized by Industrial and captive loads and feeding excess power to the grid as long as grid is available. The off grid roof top PV systems would be deployed at places which are not connected to the grid or connected but not getting electricity from the grid. In total, the phase-ll of JNNSM shall target deployment of 1,000 MW of rooftop projects.
Off-grid Schemes: Phase II will also focus on Solar off grid generating systems, solar home lighting systems and various other forms of solar based heating/cooling/thermal application in domestic, commercial & industrial segments.
Energy Access: Phase II would focus on developing standalone solar off grid generating systems. Around 20,000 villages/Hamlets/ Basti / Padas shall be covered through Energy Access scheme.
Off-grid Lighting Systems: Phase-ll of the Mission would focus on off grid lighting systems such as use of solar lanterns, solar home lighting systems and solar street lighting systems. Phase-ll would target for deployment of around ten (10) Lakh Off-grid lighting systems.
Solar Cities: Solar Cities aims to motivate the Local Governments for adopting renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures. With this objective, Phase-ll of JNNSM would focus on development of 15 solar cities in addition to existing 60 Cities.
Solar Water Pumping: Solar PV water pumping systems are used for irrigation and drinking water in India. These pumps operate on solar energy and do not require any diesel or electricity. These pump sets also have very little operating costs. Hence, Phase-ll targets deployment of 25,000 solar pumps by the end of F.Y. 2017.
Telecom Towers: The telecom towers in India consume about 2 billion liters of diesel fuel per annum. In this backdrop, Phase-Il would focus on developing special schemes for promotion of solar telecom towers and would target around 25,000 solar integrated telecom towers.
Solar Water Heating System: Phase-ll would target around 8 million Sq.m. of collector area for solar water heating purpose by the end of 2017.
Solar Cookers and Steam Generating Systems: Dish Solar Cookers use solar energy for cooking. Similarly steam generating systems are used for cooking applications in larger units like Hostels, Hospitals, Hotels, Ashrams etc. JNNSM Phase-ll will target 50,000 solar cookers.
Industrial Process Heat Applications: Indian Industries consume over 15 million tones of the fuel oil for Industrial heat application below 250° C likewise over 35 million tones of fuel oil for application temperatures above 250° C. Use of Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) Systems can save significant amount of fuel oil during the daytime. Hence Phase-ll is targeting at least 400 systems, 250 sq.m. each on an average (1,00,000 sq.m.) of CSTs for heating applications in industries.
Air Conditioning/Refrigeration: Solar air-conditioning also has vast scope at places where cooling is required mostly during daytime. This includes office complexes, educational institutions and commercial establishments like Malls etc. Hence Phase-il has set a target of at least 200 systems, 30 TR each on an average (60,000 Sq.m) for air conditioning / refrigeration systems.
Solar Hybrid Systems: Phase-ll will focus on development of hybrid technology. It is envisaged that 20 pilot hybrid projects will be set up under Phase-ll.

What has been done so far regarding the above targets?

The Ministry has formulated a Scheme for Setting up of 750 MW of Grid-connected Solar PV Power projects under Batch-I of Phase-ll (2013-17) of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) with Viability Gap Funding support to the tune of INR 1875 Crore (maximum) from National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF). Proposal for implementation of this scheme was first placed for consideration of the Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) in its meeting held on July 18, 2012 and has been approved in its meeting held on February 25, 2013.

The scheme will be implemented through the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a Section 25 company set up by the Ministry. The projects, to be set up on Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis, will be selected through bidding on VGF required by the developers in order to enable them sell power to SECI at a fixed levelised tariff of Rs.5.45 per kWh for 25 years. SECI will sell this power to those State Utilities/ Discoms who are willing to buy solar power at a fixed tariff of Rs.5.50 per unit for 25 years.

Consequent to IMG approval, the Ministry has formulated draft guidelines for implementation of the scheme and placed the same on its website for comments/ suggestions from all concerned stakeholders. It has also held consultation meetings on the scheme with specific stakeholder groups (Developers/ Manufactures and Financial Institutions) and has received useful inputs for finalizing the guidelines.
Draft Note for requisite approval of CCEA has been circulated to concerned Ministries/ Departments for their comments.