'India's renewable energy capacity to grow eight-fold'

New Delhi, Nov 22 - India's renewable energy capacity will grow eight-fold to touch 80,000 MW by 2032 and will account for 10 percent of the country's total electricity generation capacity, Renewable Energy Minister Vilas Muttemwar said Thursday.

'We are working for facilitating the implementation of a broad spectrum programme covering the entire range of new and renewable sources,' the minister said in a paper submitted at a seminar on renewable energy organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.

'India has one of the largest programmes in renewable energy in the world,' the minister said, adding the government has identified alternate fuels, namely hydrogen, synthetic fuels and bio-fuels, as thrust areas.

In wind power alone, the government proposes a capacity addition of 10,500 MW during the 11th plan period (2007-08 to 2011-12).

K.P. Sukumaran, advisor in the ministry, told the seminar that the growth in wind power generation in the country in recent years was a reflection of the investors' growing confidence in this clean energy source.

He said that generation capacity in wind power was currently being added at the rate of 1,700 MW every year compared to just 200 MW a year four years ago. 'This reflects the dramatic turnaround in investors' confidence in the wind power.'

He said this had also put to rest the debate on whether wind power generation was viable or not. 'Instead, the debate has moved on to how capacity addition in wind power can be accelerated,' he maintained.

Speaking earlier, Rakesh Bakshi, managing director, Vestas RRB India Ltd, a key player in wind power, said the share of renewable power in the energy mix must be raised to 20-25 percent if the country's long-term energy security is to be ensured.

It will help fight the growing threat of greenhouse gas emissions, he said, adding that wind energy, which is clean and environment-friendly, is not just an option but a need of the hour.

He appreciated the support being provided by the government to developers of wind power projects. However, he added that wind power was still at a disadvantage vis-a-vis hydrocarbon fuels.

'The government should impose environment protection cess on fossil fuel-generated power in order to level the playing field for renewable power project developers,' said Bakshi.

Wind power is emerging as a key factor in India's quest for energy security as fossil fuel-based power generation has failed to keep pace with growing electricity requirement of a surging economy.

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

More India (World) News click here