Latest news with #KunjShah
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gujarat sees 50% surge in solar power, becomes India's fastest-growing state in FY25
Gujarat recorded a sharp 50 per cent surge in solar power generation in FY 2024-25, emerging as the fastest-growing state in India in terms of annual increase. The state generated 20,219.48 million units (MUs) of solar electricity in FY25, up from 13,468.91 MUs in FY24, according to data tabled in Parliament by the Union ministry of new and renewable energy. Over just two years, Gujarat nearly doubled its solar output, which stood at 10,335.32 MUs in FY23, signalling its rapid transition to renewable energy. With this performance, the state now ranks second in the country in total solar power generation, behind Rajasthan, which recorded 49,101.62 MUs in FY25. Policy support, favourable business conditions and growing industrial interest have all contributed to this momentum. Gujarat's Renewable Energy Policy and its focus on decentralised approach, which has led to the adoption of rooftop and solar park models, have played a key role in ramping up capacity. Kunj Shah, chairman, RE committee, Assocham Gujarat State Council, said, "Residential rooftop solar adoption has seen a strong push, especially due to the PM Surya Ghar Yojana , which offers subsidies and soft loans through banks. Earlier limited to cities, rooftop installations are now gaining ground in rural areas as well. Industries too are increasingly adding captive capacity. Global measures like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) have also nudged exporters to decarbonise, further accelerating the shift to solar." Industry players point to large-scale solar park investments across Kutch, Banaskantha and Patan districts as a major factor. Companies are setting up captive solar plants to meet their sustainability goals. Falling panel prices have made the switch to clean energy even more economically viable. Jai Prakash Shivahare, managing director, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), said, "Gujarat's renewable energy policy is extremely enabling, especially for captive and third-party projects. There are no capacity limits, and many industries are eager to utilise 100 per cent of their sanctioned allowance. Regions like Kutch and Banaskantha offer land availability, which is a major draw for solar park development." "Gujarat's supportive policy ecosystem, with its skilled manpower, reliable vendors and suppliers, and lower operating costs, makes it an attractive state for RE developers. This allows companies to quote more competitive tariffs here," he further added. To support the growing capacity, GUVNL is also expanding transmission infrastructure via GETCO with a planned investment of ₹1 lakh crore.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gujrat fastest growing solar power state
Gujarat recorded a sharp 50 per cent surge in solar power generation in FY 2024-25, emerging as the fastest-growing state in India in terms of annual increase. The state generated 20,219.48 million units (MUs) of solar electricity in FY25, up from 13,468.91 MUs in FY24, according to data tabled in Parliament by the Union ministry of new and renewable energy. Over just two years, Gujarat nearly doubled its solar output, which stood at 10,335.32 MUs in FY23, signalling its rapid transition to renewable energy. With this performance, the state now ranks second in the country in total solar power generation, behind Rajasthan, which recorded 49,101.62 MUs in FY25. Policy support, favourable business conditions and growing industrial interest have all contributed to this momentum. Gujarat's Renewable Energy Policy and its focus on decentralised approach, which has led to the adoption of rooftop and solar park models, have played a key role in ramping up capacity. Kunj Shah, chairman, RE committee, Assocham Gujarat State Council, said, "Residential rooftop solar adoption has seen a strong push, especially due to the PM Surya Ghar Yojana , which offers subsidies and soft loans through banks. Earlier limited to cities, rooftop installations are now gaining ground in rural areas as well. Industries too are increasingly adding captive capacity. Global measures like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) have also nudged exporters to decarbonise, further accelerating the shift to solar." Industry players point to large-scale solar park investments across Kutch, Banaskantha and Patan districts as a major factor. Companies are setting up captive solar plants to meet their sustainability goals. Falling panel prices have made the switch to clean energy even more economically viable. Jai Prakash Shivahare, managing director, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), said, "Gujarat's renewable energy policy is extremely enabling, especially for captive and third-party projects. There are no capacity limits, and many industries are eager to utilise 100 per cent of their sanctioned allowance. Regions like Kutch and Banaskantha offer land availability, which is a major draw for solar park development." "Gujarat's supportive policy ecosystem, with its skilled manpower, reliable vendors and suppliers, and lower operating costs, makes it an attractive state for RE developers. This allows companies to quote more competitive tariffs here," he further added. To support the growing capacity, GUVNL is also expanding transmission infrastructure via GETCO with a planned investment of rupees 1 lakh crore.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's offshore wind era: Gujarat gears up; ₹6,900 cr transmission boost, green targets in sight
At least a decade after the proposal was moved, India's first offshore wind project along the Gujarat coast is finally set to get wings. The Centre has approved the transmission infrastructure needed to evacuate 500 megawatts (MW) of power from the state's proposed offshore wind zone, according to the Union ministry of power. Central transmission utility, Powergrid , will develop the project under the regulated tariff mechanism at an estimated cost of ₹ 6,900 crore. As per the implementation plan, the infrastructure is slated to be ready by March 2029. The power ministry, based on recommendations from the 20th meeting of the National Committee on Transmission (NCT), recently cleared the development of the associated transmission system for Phase 1 of the 500MW viability gap-funded offshore wind project located off Gujarat's coastline. This marks the first tangible step towards realising India's offshore wind energy plans. "The transmission system includes the establishment of an onshore pooling station at Mahuva, a 190-km 400kV transmission line connecting Mahuva to Vataman, and a Gujarat offshore sub-station. The offshore installation will be connected to the onshore grid via a 35-km subsea cable and a 10-km underground cable, completing a critical link between wind turbines in the Arabian Sea and the state grid," stated a power ministry official. In line with India's green energy ambitions of achieving 500GW of non-fossil fuel-based installed capacity by 2030, the state govt here has also set a target of 100GW of installed capacity by 2030, i.e., over the next five years. As of June 30, 2025, Gujarat's installed RE capacity touched 35,000MW. According to industry experts, this development is a turning point for India's offshore wind energy policy, first announced over a decade ago. Kunj Shah, chairman of the renewable committee at Assocham Gujarat state council, said, "Offshore wind energy has potential benefits." He noted that while power generation from wind can be intermittent due to unpredictable wind flow and direction, installing wind infrastructure 5 kilometres offshore may offer more consistent power and improved yield. There are currently challenges with grid infrastructure for renewable energy sources. In this context, offshore projects could provide a more reliable source of renewable energy. European countries are investing in similar projects and suggested that accelerating project implementation in Gujarat could assist the state in achieving its green energy targets . In fact, sources revealed that the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has also set a target of investing ₹ 1 lakh crore to set up robust transmission infrastructure in the state to be able to evacuate the green power the state's plants produce. Parallely, the centre has also cleared a slew of transmission projects in Gujarat to strengthen the evacuation framework for renewable energy zones (REZs) across the state.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gujarat to host India's first offshore wind project for Rs 6,900 crore
Ahmedabad: At least a decade after the proposal was moved, India's first offshore wind project along the Gujarat coast is finally set to get wings. The Centre has approved the transmission infrastructure needed to evacuate 500 megawatts (MW) of power from the state's proposed offshore wind zone, according to the Union ministry of power. Central transmission utility, Powergrid, will develop the project under the regulated tariff mechanism at an estimated cost of Rs 6,900 crore. As per the implementation plan, the infrastructure is slated to be ready by March 2029. The power ministry, based on recommendations from the 20th meeting of the National Committee on Transmission (NCT), recently cleared the development of the associated transmission system for Phase 1 of the 500MW viability gap-funded offshore wind project located off Gujarat's coastline. This marks the first tangible step towards realising India's offshore wind energy plans. "The transmission system includes the establishment of an onshore pooling station at Mahuva, a 190-km 400kV transmission line connecting Mahuva to Vataman, and a Gujarat offshore sub-station. The offshore installation will be connected to the onshore grid via a 35-km subsea cable and a 10-km underground cable, completing a critical link between wind turbines in the Arabian Sea and the state grid," stated a power ministry official. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Find out: this is how you clean your yoga mat! Kingdom Of Men Undo You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad In line with India's green energy ambitions of achieving 500GW of non-fossil fuel-based installed capacity by 2030, the state govt here has also set a target of 100GW of installed capacity by 2030, i.e., over the next five years. As of June 30, 2025, Gujarat's installed RE capacity touched 35,000MW. According to industry experts, this development is a turning point for India's offshore wind energy policy, first announced over a decade ago. Kunj Shah, chairman of the renewable committee at Assocham Gujarat state council, said, "Offshore wind energy has potential benefits." He noted that while power generation from wind can be intermittent due to unpredictable wind flow and direction, installing wind infrastructure 5 kilometres offshore may offer more consistent power and improved yield. There are currently challenges with grid infrastructure for renewable energy sources. In this context, offshore projects could provide a more reliable source of renewable energy. European countries are investing in similar projects and suggested that accelerating project implementation in Gujarat could assist the state in achieving its green energy targets. In fact, sources revealed that the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has also set a target of investing Rs 1 lakh crore to set up robust transmission infrastructure in the state to be able to evacuate the green power the state's plants produce. Parallely, the centre has also cleared a slew of transmission projects in Gujarat to strengthen the evacuation framework for renewable energy zones (REZs) across the state.
