Picture for representational purpose only. Used with the kind permission of Standardkessel Baumgarte GmbH
The recently released Energy Statistics Report 2020 published by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation provides data on India’s Waste to Energy (WtE) output and potential. Solar energy is the fastest developing energy source and the country’s solar installed capacity reached 28.18 GW as on 31.03.2019 as compared to 21.65 GW on 31.03.2018.
“India has expanded its renewable source of electricity generation capacity by 12.23% over a year… There is high potential for generation of renewable energy from various sources – wind, solar, biomass, small hydro and cogeneration bagasse. The total potential for renewable power generation in the country as on 31.03.2019 is estimated at 1097465 MW (Table 1.3),” states the Report, adding that this includes biomass power of 17,536 MW (1.60%) and 2554 MW (0.23%) from waste to energy.
In terms of installed capacity (Off-grid / Decentralised Renewable Energy Systems/ Devices as of Dec 31, 2019) the states of Uttar Pradesh (50.24MW), Maharastra (31.04MW) and Andhra Pradesh (25.21MW) are leading.
In terms of the estimated potential of renewable power from Waste to Energy (specifically, industrial waste), the states of Maharashtra (287MW), Uttar Pradesh (176MW) and Tamil Nadu (151MW) are ranked the highest, as per the report.