Parliament Question: Expansion of solar energy infrastructure in high irradiance regions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1263 ANSWERED ON 10.02.2026 EXPANSION OF SOLAR ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE IN HIGH IRRADIANCE REGIONS 1263. Dr. BHAGWAT KARAD Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has identified regions with consistently high solar radiation for prioritised development of solar parks and grid-connected projects; (b) whether Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra are among the areas identified for such accelerated deployment; (c) the steps taken to strengthen transmission infrastructure, storage solutions and land aggregation in these regions; and (d) the extent to which these initiatives are contributing to energy security, employment generation and regional economic growth? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK) (a) Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has prepared a report on “Transmission System for Integration of over 500 GW RE Capacity by 2030". The report has identified potential RE Zones in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, etc. for deployment of renewable energy projects, including solar. (b) As per CEA’s report, around 14.5 GW of RE potential is identified in the RE zones in Maharashtra. Further, as per the inputs received from Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA), Vidarbha (Akola, Amravati, Bhandara, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha, Washim and Yavatmal) and Marathwada (Beed, Ch. Sambhaji Nagar, Dharashiv, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded and Parbhani) regions are also among the areas identified for accelerated deployment of solar power projects. (c) The steps taken by the Government to strengthen transmission infrastructure and promote storage solutions in the country, including the State of Maharashtra are placed at Annexure I. Further, as per the inputs received from MEDA, a single-window portal and a dedicated land portal has been developed to facilitate streamlined approvals and land aggregation. (d) The State of Maharashtra has more than 18 GW out of the total installed solar capacity of ~135 GW in the country, contributing to energy security. The development of solar projects also leads to the creation of supporting infrastructure such as roads, substations, and transmission networks. Therefore, these initiatives also boost employment generation and regional economic growth. *****ANNEXURE I REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1263 FOR 10.02.2026 Steps taken by the Government to strengthen transmission infrastructure and promote storage solutions • Implementation of Intra-State and Inter-State transmission systems for evacuation of Renewable power. • Transmission system plan for integration of over 500 GW RE capacity by the year 2030. • Setting up of Green Energy Corridors, with financial support from the Government of India, to enhance the capacity of the grid to integrate and transmit renewable energy. • Ministry of Power brought out a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for development of BESS capacity of 43,220 MWh in the country. • Ministry of Power vide its order dated 10th Jun, 2025 granted 100% ISTS charges waiver for co-located BESS projects, commissioned on or before 30th June 2028. • Central Electricity Authority issued an advisory on 18th Feb, 2025 to suggest a minimum of 2-hour co-located ESS with a capacity equivalent to 10% of the installed solar project capacity in future solar tenders to enhance grid stability and cost efficiency. • National Framework to promote Energy Storage Systems (ESS) in the country was issued by Ministry of Power in Aug, 2023. • The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2022 notified on 20th April, 2022 mandates the consumers, who are using the diesel generator sets as essential back up power, to shift to cleaner technology such as renewable energy with battery storage subject to certain conditions. • Ministry of Power notified the Guidelines for Procurement and Utilization of Battery Energy Storage Systems as part of Generation, Transmission and Distribution assets, along with Ancillary Services. • CERC “Ancillary Services Regulations, 2022” provide for eligibility of ESS to provide Secondary Reserve Ancillary Service and Tertiary Reserve Ancillary Service, under certain conditions.