iDEX-like scheme for green energy on the cards: MNRE Secretary

The government has set a target of 500GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030

Taking a leaf out of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, the Union government is planning to launch a similar programme for innovations in the renewable and new energy sectors, according to Prashant Kumar Singh, secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

"We are planning to bring out a list of components required for production of green hydrogen, solar energy and wind energy, that are currently imported. These components would be other than the main ones like electrolysers for which there are sepearate incentives," Singh said at the Global MSME Business Summit organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi on December 16.

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"By mid-next year, we would throw a challenge, similar to iDEX in the defence sector, wherein we would suggest the global specifications. If the startups, MSMEs and industry can match it through their pilot innovations, then we would guarantee the off-take for a specified number of years. This would help in bringing up several pilot projects," the MNRE secretary said.

The iDEX scheme, run by the Ministry of Defence, aims to provide financial support to nearly 300 startups, MSMEs and individual innovators and about 20 partner incubators for the development of niche defence and aerospace technologies.

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Singh said MSMEs can play a significant role in meeting the growing domestic demand in solar, wind energy, and battery storage solutions. "Batteries are a crucial component of the renewable energy sector, especially for solar and wind power storage. MSMEs can play a significant role in manufacturing these batteries domestically, reducing dependency on imports," he said adding that India will need more efficient, cost-effective energy storage solutions, making battery production a key area for MSME involvement.

The government has set a target of 500GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. It has also launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which has a total initial outlay of Rs 19,744 crore, of which Rs 17,490 crore has been kept for the production-linked incentives (PLIs) for producing green hydrogen and manufacturing electrolysers.