President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has called for shift in the structure of energy sources in order to achieve the strategic goals for Energy Independence by 2030. Inaugurating the two-day South Asian Conference on Renewable Energy here today, he said that firstly fossil fuel import need to be minimized and secure access ensured. Besides maximum hydro and nuclear power potential should be utilized apart from coal and gas based thermal power generation. Dr. Kalam stressed that the most significant aspect of this structure shift would be increase in power generated from renewable energy technologies to 25% against the present level of about 5%.
Dr. Kalam called upon those attending the Conference to explore the possibility of a large-scale renewable energy project of several thousands of megawatt capacity as a commercially viable joint venture between South Asian nations. One such possibility he suggested is in the regime of efficient use of renewable solar energy. This will need the combined power of the joint venture nations to conduct state-of-the-art research &development, professional implementation, management and commercial exploitation.
President further said that to meet the development targets of India, power generating capacity has to increase to 4,00,000 MW by 2030 from the existing hundred and thirty thousand megawatts of power. This has got to be achieved through three different sources namely – hydel capacity, nuclear power and non-conventional energy sources - primarily through solar energy. The hydel capacity generated through inter-linking of rivers is expected to contribute additional 50,000 megawatts of power. Large-scale solar energy farms of 100s of megawatts capacity in certain number could contribute around 55,000 MW. The nuclear power plants should have a target of 50,000 MW of power. The balance has to be generated through the conventional thermal plants through coal and gas and other renewable sources of energy such a wind power, biomass, power through municipal waste and solar thermal power.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Vilas Muttemwar, Minister for Non Conventional Sources, informed that grid-interactive renewable power has taken second place to conventional power with an installed capacity of over 8000 MW by this March end that corresponds to over six per cent of the installed power generation capacity in the country, with wind power having reached 4th positions globally. The Minister added that renewable power capacity is likely to double every five years or so in the future. Consequently, our assessment is that by 2012 around 20,000 MW corresponding to 10 per cent of the then installed capacity would be contributed by renewables. By 2030 renewable power capacity is likely to reach 1,00,000 MW, which coincides with your vision for the same. Shri Muttemwar also said that major investment opportunities are waiting in this area to be explored. Regarding alternative fuels like hydrogen, bio-fuel, etc., he said that around 30-40 million tones is aimed to be generated by 2030 accounting for 20 per cent of fuel needs in transport sector. As regards encouraging R&D, the Minister said, “to attain our deployment aims we will be investing heavily into R&D. In this regard, my Ministry provides up to 50 per cent central financial assistance for R&D projects taken up by industry”.
Shri V. Subrahmaniam, Secretary Ministry of Non Conventional Energy Sources also stressed on the importance of renewable energy sources and the need for carrying out research & development for harnessing these sources. The Conference has been organized by the Ministry of Non Conventional Sources through Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India. The inaugural session was also attended by Shri Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, State Minister, Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources delivered keynote address during the Plenary Session, in addition to representatives from the Governments and industry from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Energy specialists from SAARC countries, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Mauritius, Europe and USA are also attending the Conference.
RCJ/An-06
(Release ID :17190)