Parliament Question: Expansion of Solar Power Plants in West Bengal

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2927 ANSWERED ON 05.08.2026 EXPANSION OF SOLAR POWER PLANTS IN WEST BENGAL 2927. SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of the rapid expansion of solar power plants with the participation of domestic and foreign investors in West Bengal during last three years and if so, the details of total solar capacity installed and under implementation thereof; (b) whether large-scale ground-mounted or rooftop solar projects have been sanctioned or implemented in Durgapur, Kolkata and Bishnupur Lok Sabha Constituencies including on Government buildings, railways, ports and public sector undertakings and if so, the details thereof; (c) the steps taken by the Government to promote rooftop solar adoption among residential societies and commercial establishments in the said constituencies; and (d) whether any incentives, viability gap funding or policy measures are proposed to attract foreign investment and accelerate solar capacity addition in West Bengal particularly in the said constituencies and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK) (a) As per the inputs received from Government of West Bengal (GoWB), no specific scheme has been undertaken by them to ensure the participation of domestic or foreign investors in solar power projects in West Bengal during the last three years. However, rooftop solar (RTS) and distributed renewable energy (DRE) projects have been implemented through a transparent tendering process in accordance with the applicable procurement procedures. Further, West Bengal New & Renewable Energy Manufacturing Promotion Policy 2023 of the Department of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise, GoWB, provide scope to attract investment in the State of West Bengal. As on 30 June 2026, the installed solar power capacity in West Bengal stands at 363.50 MW. (b) As per the inputs received from GoWB, no large-scale ground-mounted solar projects have been sanctioned or implemented in the Durgapur, Kolkata and Bishnupur Lok Sabha Constituencies. However, rooftop solar (RTS) systems have been installed on large number of Government- aided/sponsored school buildings and Government Buildings which includes 116 nos. of State Government Buildings (Cumulative capacity: 4.01 MW), 4251 nos. of Government/Government aided Schools (Cumulative capacity: 3.18 MW), 124 nos. of Colleges (Cumulative capacity: 2.30 MW) and 14 nos. of Universities (Cumulative capacity: 2.04 MW).Further, the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY) is also available to all eligible residential consumers and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). (c) As per the inputs received from GoWB, the State Government is promoting rooftop solar installations across the State through awareness generation and facilitation under the PMSG: MBY, which is available to eligible residential consumers and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). The Non-Conventional & Renewable Energy Sources (NRES) Department of GoWB has also taken the initiative to implement the Model Solar Village, a component under PMSG: MBY, which will further promote the adoption of renewable energy (RE) and create greater public awareness. (d) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 per cent is permissible through automatic route for setting up renewable energy projects including solar energy projects in the country including the state of West Bengal. *****