Power PSUs to facilitate solar generation by acquiring land for solar parks
A new ‘plug-and-play’ model is being instituted to accelerate solar capacity expansion by removing factors such as land acquisition and availability of transmission corridors. Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) will acquire more than 2 lac hectares of hand to set up an estimated 47,000 MW of green power generation units. This model is estimated to reduce tariffs by up to 20 paise per unit.
Under this new model, PSUs operating under the Power and Renewable Energy ministries will acquire the land via fully owned special purpose vehicles (SPVs). PSUs such as PowerGrid will be tasked with setting up the transmission infrastructure for these locations.
The idea is to set up ‘ultra-mega renewable energy power parks’ in which promoters can set up solar capacity without having to worry about land acquisition or transmission issues.
Rs 360cr of subsidies handed out to buyers of electric and hybrid vehicles under FAME
Union Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Prakash Javadekar informed the lower house in a written reply that about 2.85 lac buyers of electric and hybrid vehicles had availed subsidies totalling Rs 360cr under the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric vehicles) India scheme.
“The Phase-I of the FAME India Scheme was launched in 2015 and continued up to 31st March 2019. Based on outcome and experience gained during the Phase-I of FAME India Scheme and after having consultations with all stakeholders including Industry and Industry Associations, the second phase of FAME India Scheme has commenced from 01st April, 2019 for a period of 3 years,” an official release of the Ministry said.