Question : DEVELOPMENT OF NCES

(a) whether the Union Government is contemplating to frame a comprehensive policy to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as micro-hydel, solar and wind power turbines in the country as reported in the Times of India dated December 2, 2005;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken in this regard;

(d) the aim of the new policy and the measures suggested in the new document to achieve the goal set therefor; and

(e) the extent to which the State Governments will be made responsible to achieve the targeted goal?

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR)

(a), (b), (c), (d) & (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a), (b), (c), (d) & (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 351 for 16.12.2005 regarding Development of NCES

(a) : Yes, Sir.

(b) & (c): In order to set a strategic vision for new and renewable energy in the country a draft New and Renewable Energy Policy Statement 2005 has been prepared. This Statement has been placed on the website of the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources for obtaining comments from various stakeholders.

(d) : The aim of the Statement is to set the priority and aims of renewable energy for the country so as to develop substitutes for liquid, gaseous and solid fossil fuels, in that order. It also provides for application of renewable energy to meet a broad spectrum of requirements that have the potential to provide greater energy access, meet unmet demand, replace fossil-fuel captive energy generation, supplement fossil-fuel in transport, portable and stationary applications and augment grid supply, thus contributing to the overall national energy security.

(e): Pursuant to the provisions of the Electricity Act 2003, the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) are required to fix a percentage for purchase of power from renewable energy sources in the area of a distribution licensee. It is, accordingly, for the SERCs to fix such percentages for their States taking into account various factors such as the power demand-supply position, availability of renewable energy resources in the region and status of development thereof, and impact on consumers on account of relatively higher price of grid-interactive renewable power.