National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy issued the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy on 14th May 2018.

• The main objective of the National Wind Solar Hybrid Policy is to provide a framework for the promotion of large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources, transmission infrastructure and land.
• A scheme for setting up of 2500 MW Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) connected wind solar hybrid projects was sanctioned on 25.05.2018.
• In order to promote hybrid renewable energy technologies, Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. (SECI) has brought out tenders, viz. Solar-Wind Hybrid Projects, with assured supply during peak hours and Round Clock (RTC) renewable Power.

The Government has taken several steps to promote renewable energy, including wind-solar hybrid renewable energy, in the country.

These include:

• permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 per cent under the automatic route,
• waiver of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and
• wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025,
• declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2022,
• setting up Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers on a plug-and-play basis,
• laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity for evacuation of renewable power,
• setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments,
• Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff-based competitive bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV, Wind and wind-solar hybrid Projects.
• The government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or
• advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators.
• Conducting skill development programs to create a pool of skilled manpower for implementation, operation, and maintenance of RE projects.

Under the Ministry’s Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme, various research institutions and industries are provided financial support for carrying out renewable energy research including the development of new technologies like hybrid solar-wind technologies. The Ministry encourages research and technology development proposals in collaboration with the industry and provides up to 100% financial support to Government/non-profit research organizations and up to 50% to Industry, startups and Private Institutes.

A research project entitled “Integrated Wind and Solar Resource Assessment through Mapping and Measurements” has been sanctioned to the National Institute of Wind Energy, Chennai with a total cost of Rs 17.99 crore. Under this project, integrated wind-solar measurement stations at 23 locations have been commissioned and a Solar Wind hybrid map has been prepared.