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10,000 MW of decentralized grid connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW, (b)
setting up of 20 lakh standalone solar powered agriculture pumps, and (c) solarisation of 15 Lakh
existing grid-connected agriculture pumps. RBI has included these components under Priority Sector
Lending Guidelines for easing availability of finance. As of 31 December, 2021 over 77000 stand-
st
alone solar pumps, 25.25 MW capacity solar power plants and over 1026 pumps were solarised
under individual pump solarisation variant. Implementation of feeder level solarisation variant under
component C which was introduced in December 2020 has also started in a number of states.
To facilitate large scale grid connected solar power projects, a scheme for “Development of Solar
Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects” is under implementation with a target capacity of 40
GW capacity by March 2024. So far, 50 solar parks have been sanctioned with a combined capacity
of 33.82 GW in 14 states. Solar power projects of an aggregate capacity of around 9.2 GW have
already been commissioned in these parks.
Roof Top Solar programme Phase-II for accelerated deployment of solar roof top systems, with a
target of 40 GW installed capacity by December 2022, is also under implementation. The scheme
provides for financial assistance for upto 4 GW of solar roof top capacity to residential sector and
there is a provision to incentivise the distribution companies for incremental achievement over the
previous year. So far, a cumulative 5.87 GW solar roof top projects have been set up in the country.
A scheme for setting up 12 GW Grid-Connected Solar PV Power Projects by government entities
(including Central Public Sector Undertakings) is under implementation. Viability Gap Funding
support is provided under this scheme. Under this scheme, Government has so far sanctioned around
8.2 GW of projects.
Phase-III of the Off-Grid Solar PV Applications Programme for Solar Street Lights, Solar Study
Lamps and Solar Power Packs was available till 31.03.2021. Till December 2021 over 1.45 lakh solar
street lights were installed, 9.14 lakh solar study lamps were distributed and about 2.5 MW solar
power packs were set-up as reported by State Nodal agencies.
Government of India has notified the offshore Wind Energy Policy to harness the potential of offshore
wind energy along India’s coastline. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is developing strategy
and roadmap for installation of offshore wind projects off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The
Ministry has notified the wind solar hybrid policy, providing a framework for promotion of large
grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid projects for optimal and efficient utilization of transmission
infrastructure and land, reducing the variability in renewable power generation and achieving better
grid stability. As of 31 December 2021, capacity of around 4.25 GW of wind-solar hybrid have been
st
awarded, out of which 0.2 GW is already commissioned and additional capacity of 1.2 GW wind-
solar hybrid projects are at various stages of bidding.

Major decisions at the COP26 Climate Summit, Glasgow
6.52 The 26th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the UNFCCC was held under
the UK Presidency in Glasgow from 31st October – 13th November 2021. The 16th Session of
the Conference of Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP16),
3rd Session of Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of Parties to Paris Agreement
(CMA3), Sessions 52-55 of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice
(SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) were also held in conjunction