Wind, biomass and bagasse yet to be tapped
Panaji : Goa, which is aiming for 100 per cent green energy by 2050, achieved total renewable energy capacity of only 83.5 MW, as on March 31, this year, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Solar energy is dominant in the state’s clean energy goals making up for 81.5 MW of the total installed capacity, while the capacity from other renewable sources is less than 2 MW (waste energy 1.9 MW, and a small hydro-power project of 0.05 MW.).
Information gathered from the ministry revealed that in solar energy the bulk of the capacity 71.5 MW is through rooftop solar systems, including the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, while the capacity created through ground-mounted solar projects is 8.5 MW.
Under the PM Kusum scheme (component B), which seeks to solarise the agricultural sector, the state’s capacity is of 1.5 MW.
In terms of power generation, the state during 2025-26, as on end-February, accomplished 59.8 million units of renewable power, of which 52.3 million units generated is of solar power and 7.5 million units power from waste.
The statistics revealed that apart from the solar power push the state is yet to tap renewable energy from other sources such as wind, biomass, bagasse, etc.
Most of the projects for renewable power are yet to take off. The government had announced that proposals for large, renewable power projects with a total capacity of 597 MW, have been received from companies.
The projects include a 100 MW decentralised wind power plant at various locations under RESCO mode by JVS Comatso Industries Pvt Ltd, Pune; a 300MW solar power plant with BESS by NTPC Green Energy Ltd, and a 3.2 MW floating solar power plant by SJVN Green Energy Ltd., at four of the dams in the state.
The government is also planning to make solar rooftop mandatory for the new constructions of building complexes. However, it involves interdepartmental consultations and necessary amendments in the byelaws of Town and Country Planning Department.
Goa has the potential to generate 9.39 GW, of solar energy in future through ground-mounted projects and through floating projects, according to a research report by the National Institute of Solar Energy.
The report said the state has feasible wasteland of 65 square kilometres that is capable of generating 9 GW of solar power through ground-mounted systems. The state’s waterbodies are feasible for setting up floating solar projects over an area of 7.7 sq km, with potential of 0.39 GW solar power, it said.
