Govt plans 1 lakh mw renewable energy by 2031-32

New Delhi, Feb 6 (UNI) Concerned over the increasing petroleum import bill, which takes away 10 per cent of the country's GDP, the Government has chalked out an ambitious plan for generating additional one lakh megawatt of renewable energy from a mix of wind, small hydro, biomass and bagasse by 2031-32.

The New and Renewable Energy Ministry has sought a budgetary support of Rs 11,084 crore for research, development and deployment of renewable energy during the 11th Plan beginning from April 1, 2007. For the current year, the ministry has sought an allocation of Rs 1,500 crore.

Addressing the Seventh Editors' Conference on Social Sector Issues-2007, New and Renewable Energy Minister Vilas Muttemwar today said that a draft 'Renewable Energy Policy' prepared by his ministry was being modified and will be given a final shape by the end of the year.

As per official assessments, to maintain the present growth rate of 9 per cent in the next decade and to achieve projected double-digit growth for becoming global economic entity, the country has to produce additional power of 1.5 lakh mw.

At present, the government is of the view that 'rural energy security' has to be provided to cater to the villages without electricity at a priority basis. And for that, alternative sources to the conventional ones such as coals, petroleum and natural have to be developed.

Mr Muttemwar said that the country has potential to generate 40,000 mw of decentralised energy and 25 million tonnes of bio energy, in addition to producing 80,000-1,00,000 mw of renewable energy by the 15th Plan (2031-32). This is possible if ''we are able to cover 45 to 50 hectare waste unproductive land for the production of bio energy. A further 5,000 mw energy can be saved through solar energy''.

Renewable energy sources such as wind energy, biomass energy, solar thermal, solar power and small hydro have the potential to contribute 5 to 10 per cent in the electricity mix of the country, provided that these renewable energy sources are developed with full commitment, he added.

Rural electrification is a hope for rural India which is deprived of energy supply to a large extent. ''A comprehensive plan is needed for rural electrification.'' Mr Muttemwar informed that a capacity of 9,300 mw grid power has been installed through renewable energy sources. ''The development of wind, solar, small hydro power, biomass energy systems have been undertaken.'' In wind energy, India ranks fourth in the world.

About 6,300 mw capacity of wind power has already been installed.

Besides, 10 lakh solar photovoltaic systems are being used for domestic lighting purposes.

Five thousand villages are being given light through solar energy, of which 2,000 are those which can be electrified through the grid and have been provided with solar home lights.

About 40 lakh biogas plants have been installed throughout the country. In biogas sector, the country ranks second in the world after China. About 16.5 lakh square metre area has been covered under solar thermal systems.

The ministry has already prepared a draft 'bio-fuel policy' and sent it to the concerned ministries and departments for their comments before submitting to the Cabinet Committee for its approval.

Under a new scheme one solar lantern will be provided free of cost to the girl student from below povert line families in unelectrified villages and hamlets. So far, about 30,000 lanterns have been distributed in this scheme.

The Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana, which carries 90 per cent subsidy by the government, has provided 500 villages and hamlets with electricity, generated from renewable energy sources during the current year.

UNI