Even as countries worldwide are trying to reach a consensus on curbing greenhouse gas emissions at the ongoing Paris climate conference, the CAG has pulled up the government, noting that it did not reach targets for the purchase of electricity from renewable energy sources.

NAPCC norms “It was observed that, against the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) target of 8 and 9 per cent for 2012-13 and 2013-14, the national achievement was only 4.28 and 4.51 per cent, respectively,” it said in the Performance Audit Report on Renewable Energy Sector in India.

The CAG, in its report that was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, also noted that except Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, none of the 24 sampled States fixed the renewable purchase obligations (RPO) in sync with NAPCC norms.

The report recommended that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy pursue the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions for adoption of RPO under the NAPCC targets.

Strict penalties “These targets should be enforced, with due monitoring and collection of penalties for default in compliance,” it stressed.

The CAG further pointed out that most States are yet to start exploiting wind and solar energy sources.

In the 10 States endowed with 78 per cent of the national solar potential, the exploitation varied from zero to 2.56 per cent, it noted.

Small hydro projects Similarly, of the 10 States endowed with 97 per cent of the country’s wind potential, the exploitation varied from zero to 68 per cent.

The CAG report also noted shortfalls in small hydro power projects and directed the Ministry to ensure their timely construction.

As many as 60 projects across five States were shut down, under repairs and maintenance or working below capacity, leading to loss of power generation and revenue, it said.

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