During the 11th Plan, India added grid interactive renewable power generation capacity of 14,660 mw against the envisaged target of 14,000 mw. The cumulative renewable energy installed capacity at the end of 11th Plan was 24,914 mw.

This information was given by Minister for New & Renewable Energy, Farooq Abdullah in the Rajya Sabha.

The ministry has set a target of capacity addition of 29,800 mw from renewable energy sources during 12th Plan period.

To achieve this target, the ministry encourages private sector investment and offers incentives such as Generation Based Incentive, Viability Gap Funding, Accelerated Depreciation for Renewable Energy Sources.

The target of 29,800 mw comprises of 15,000 mw from wind, 10,000 mw from solar, 2,100 mw from small hydro and 2,700 mw from bio-power including waste to energy.

In 2011-12, over 3,200 mw of wind energy capacity was set up in India. The generation-based incentive, which the central government is re-introducing, is expected to encourage investments.

It may be noted that the government withdrew the scheme earlier. When the incentive was withdrawn, investments in the sector dropped and just about 1,700 mw was added in 2012-13.