Gujarat to explore renewable energy sources

Ahmedabad, May 12 (UNI) Gujarat intends to explore potential of renewable energy sources including wind energy and expects to generate 4,000 MW energy by year 2010, according to Gujarat Energy Development Association (GEDA) Chairam H K Dash.

Mr Dash was speaking at a business meet on Wind Energy Investments in Gujarat, organised by the industry chamber FICCI here today.

He said the State has made fresh initiatives in this direction and had trippled its installed capacity.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent visits to Russia and China, had emphasized on bilateral co-operation in the renewable energy sector, he said.

Gujarat is working on revised policy in energy sector for the benefit of stake holders, he added.

Indian Wind Energy Association Chairman Dr Anil Kane, in his keynote address, stressed the need for renewable sources of energy and said the dependence on fossil fuels would have to be reduced.

Dr Kane said wind energy is the most viable way of producing large quantities of electricity and it has now become economically viable throughout the world and is the fastest growing industry with a growth rate of above 34 per cent.

He said the potential of wind energy in India, as worked out by Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy sources, is 45,000 MW.

FICCI Gujarat State Council Chairman Amit Goradia said challenges such as energy supply security and the volatility of fossil fuel prices have globally become an extremely pressing issue.

Thermal power generation through resources such as coal or fuel continues to contribute to the adverse environmental effects, he observed. Gujarat is at an advantage of having a substantially long coastline and certain inland areas have potential to harness wind energy for power generation, he said.

UNI