US keen to tap renewable energy sources in India

Chennai, Apr 18: United States is keen to tap renewable energy sources in India to boost the trading relationship between both the countries, US International Trade Administration Assistant Secretary David Bohigian said today.

Talking to newspersons here, he said "the Indian renewable energy (RE) industry is diversified and offers strong business prospects to US companies. The market for RE business in India, estimated at USD 600 million, is growing at an annual rate of 15 per cent".

He said the major areas of investments would be in solar energy, wind energy, small hydro projects, waste-to-energy, biomass and alternative fuel.

Mr David, who is here on a day's tour, said "several US companies such as GE Power Systems, Solar Wall, NRG System, Alstom Power, Astro Power, Shell, Duke Solar and Sundanzer play a major role in the Indian renewable energy market." He said "I have discussed with several Indian companies, who are interested in learning the latest technology from us." To a question, he said the scope of generating power and thermal applications using solar energy was very promising in India and only a fraction of the aggregate potential in renewable resources and in particularly solar energy was being used so far.

UNI