Call for renewable energy sources

Bangalore, Aug 14 (UNI) India's goal to energise all homes by 2012 will remain a dream unless steps were not initiated to harness all available renewable energy sources besides tapping power through conventional route, an expert said.

Speaking after releasing 'Mission 2022'-- a vision document brought out by the Indian Association of Energy Management Professionals (IAEMP)-- here, Karnataka Renewable Energy Area Development Director B Shivalingaiah said the country's power production had reached 124,000 MW from a mere 2,000 MW at the time of Independence.

The capacity need to be doubled within the next five years as the demand was rising steadly, he added.

''It is a great challenge before us, unless we transform the 'Vision into Mission' we cannot achieve our goal of energising all the houses by 2012.'' Speaking on the mega power projects that suffer due to environmental and other reasons, he said through renewable energy, other than solar, the country could produce 100,000 MW.

Cowdung cakes could be a substitute to coal which is both cost consuming and a major air pollutant. Besides sugar, factories could be encouraged to produce bio-fuel ethnol, that could be used for running vehicles, saving precious foreign exchange used for oil imports.

Central Power Research Institute Director P K Kaghnorkar said that through the Centre was doing its bit to make the country self-sufficient in energy, still there was need to accelerate efforts in achieving 'Energy Independence'.

IAEMP All India President S K Sood said the mission was to achieve India's Energy Independence by 2022-- eight years before the deadline set by former President A P J Abdul Kalam in his Independence Day address to the nation last year.

UNI