The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) during the year 2009 continued its endeavor to promote renewable energy technologies and increase the contribution of renewable energy in the total energy mix in the years to come.
It was an encouraging year for the non-conventional and renewable energy sector. A total of 1073.62 MW renewable energy covering 184 villages and 86 hamlets was added during the year. Of this 1,056.12 MW from grid-interactive renewable power generation capacities and 17.5 MW equivalent off-grid and distributed renewable power has been added.
The major contribution of renewable energy came from wind power (649 MW), biomass power (113 MW), small hydro power (91 MW) and bagasse based cogeneration power (192 MW).
On the solar front, Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, with a clarion call to industry to create ’Solar Valleys’ on the lines of Silicon Valleys that are spurring the Indian IT industry across India. This Mission is one of the eight key National Missions which comprise India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change. Its twin objective is to contribute to India’s long term energy security as well as its ecological security.
The Prime Minister said that the Mission has the potential to provide significant multipliers in our efforts for transformation of India’s rural economy. Observing that solar energy, in its decentralized and distributed applications, is already beginning to light the lives of tens of millions of India’s energy-poor citizens, he said that the rapid spread of solar lighting systems, solar water pumps and other solar power-based rural applications can change the face of India’s rural economy. “We intend to significantly expand such applications through this Mission,” he added.
The Solar Mission recommends a three stage implementation leading up to an installed capacity of 20,000 MW by the end of the 13th Five Year Plan in 2022.
In-principle approval has been given to 30 cities for developing as ‘Solar Cities’ in the country out of which sanctions have been issued for 12 cities for which Master Plan is under preparation.
The solar city aims at a minimum of 10 per cent deduction in projected demand of conventional energy through a combination of energy efficiency measures and enhancing supply from renewable energy sources.
Wind energy accounts for 70 per cent of total installed renewable energy generation capacity. In a major initiative, government has recently announced a scheme for generation based incentives of 50 paise per unit of electricity fed into the grid from wind power projects subject to a maximum of Rs 62 lakh per mega watt.
The national policy on bio-fuels has been approved by the cabinet and the policy will bring about accelerated development and promotion of cultivation, production and use of bio-fuels to increasing the substitute petrol and diesel for transport and be used in stationary and other applications.
Dr Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for MNRE, in his key note address, observed that Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission envisages major participation of private sector by setting up grid connected solar power projects on Build Own and Operate basis. They will be eligible to get preferential tariff for solar power fed to the grid. In addition, private sector will continue to be engaged in setting up of manufacturing units in the country. The Minister said that the private sector is also expected to be a major user of various types of solar energy systems & devices.
In a landmark decision, the Union government has made it mandatory for all new buildings of the public sector undertakings and the government to seek new green rating norms in an effort to ensure energy efficiency and tackle climate change threats.
“The decision was taken two days ago to ensure that buildings are environment-friendly and aimed to achieve high energy utilisation,” Abdullah said at a Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) function in New Delhi.
He said buildings would have to comply with the requirement of at least 3-star rating under the GRIHA scheme. Efforts would be, however, made for higher rating by such buildings subject to the site condition, as western rating systems were not suited for Indian climate.
Under the GRIHA scheme, buildings would be rated by technical expertise from TERI, which is headed by RK Pachauri. The aim of a green building design was to minimise the demand for non-renewable sources and maximise its utilisation.
Emphasising on integrating traditional heritage with scientific tools, the Minister said even small dwelling units being constructed under the Indira Awas Yojna could be brought under the GRIHA scheme to ensure sustainability.
Deepak Gupta, Secretary in the Renewable Ministry, said the CPWD had adopted GRIHA rating and efforts were on to spread awareness in this direction among the stakeholders concerned, including builders and architects. “A technical group has also been constituted to study the feasibility of GRIHA in larger areas such as townships and campus. The team will submit its report within the next six months.” Buildings would be rated on the basis of design, system design, including ventilation, water and waste management, indoor environmental quality and selection of ecologically sustainable materials.
Explaining the importance of green buildings, Director General, TERI, Dr Pachauri said that GRIHA is more suited to Indian conditions than any other overseas ratings. He said that India could provide help to other nations to see that building sector across the globe is efficient and not be a parasite feeding on our depleting natural resources.
It was an encouraging year for the non-conventional and renewable energy sector. A total of 1073.62 MW renewable energy covering 184 villages and 86 hamlets was added during the year. Of this 1,056.12 MW from grid-interactive renewable power generation capacities and 17.5 MW equivalent off-grid and distributed renewable power has been added.
The major contribution of renewable energy came from wind power (649 MW), biomass power (113 MW), small hydro power (91 MW) and bagasse based cogeneration power (192 MW).
On the solar front, Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, with a clarion call to industry to create ’Solar Valleys’ on the lines of Silicon Valleys that are spurring the Indian IT industry across India. This Mission is one of the eight key National Missions which comprise India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change. Its twin objective is to contribute to India’s long term energy security as well as its ecological security.
The Prime Minister said that the Mission has the potential to provide significant multipliers in our efforts for transformation of India’s rural economy. Observing that solar energy, in its decentralized and distributed applications, is already beginning to light the lives of tens of millions of India’s energy-poor citizens, he said that the rapid spread of solar lighting systems, solar water pumps and other solar power-based rural applications can change the face of India’s rural economy. “We intend to significantly expand such applications through this Mission,” he added.
The Solar Mission recommends a three stage implementation leading up to an installed capacity of 20,000 MW by the end of the 13th Five Year Plan in 2022.
In-principle approval has been given to 30 cities for developing as ‘Solar Cities’ in the country out of which sanctions have been issued for 12 cities for which Master Plan is under preparation.
The solar city aims at a minimum of 10 per cent deduction in projected demand of conventional energy through a combination of energy efficiency measures and enhancing supply from renewable energy sources.
Wind energy accounts for 70 per cent of total installed renewable energy generation capacity. In a major initiative, government has recently announced a scheme for generation based incentives of 50 paise per unit of electricity fed into the grid from wind power projects subject to a maximum of Rs 62 lakh per mega watt.
The national policy on bio-fuels has been approved by the cabinet and the policy will bring about accelerated development and promotion of cultivation, production and use of bio-fuels to increasing the substitute petrol and diesel for transport and be used in stationary and other applications.
Dr Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for MNRE, in his key note address, observed that Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission envisages major participation of private sector by setting up grid connected solar power projects on Build Own and Operate basis. They will be eligible to get preferential tariff for solar power fed to the grid. In addition, private sector will continue to be engaged in setting up of manufacturing units in the country. The Minister said that the private sector is also expected to be a major user of various types of solar energy systems & devices.
In a landmark decision, the Union government has made it mandatory for all new buildings of the public sector undertakings and the government to seek new green rating norms in an effort to ensure energy efficiency and tackle climate change threats.
“The decision was taken two days ago to ensure that buildings are environment-friendly and aimed to achieve high energy utilisation,” Abdullah said at a Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) function in New Delhi.
He said buildings would have to comply with the requirement of at least 3-star rating under the GRIHA scheme. Efforts would be, however, made for higher rating by such buildings subject to the site condition, as western rating systems were not suited for Indian climate.
Under the GRIHA scheme, buildings would be rated by technical expertise from TERI, which is headed by RK Pachauri. The aim of a green building design was to minimise the demand for non-renewable sources and maximise its utilisation.
Emphasising on integrating traditional heritage with scientific tools, the Minister said even small dwelling units being constructed under the Indira Awas Yojna could be brought under the GRIHA scheme to ensure sustainability.
Deepak Gupta, Secretary in the Renewable Ministry, said the CPWD had adopted GRIHA rating and efforts were on to spread awareness in this direction among the stakeholders concerned, including builders and architects. “A technical group has also been constituted to study the feasibility of GRIHA in larger areas such as townships and campus. The team will submit its report within the next six months.” Buildings would be rated on the basis of design, system design, including ventilation, water and waste management, indoor environmental quality and selection of ecologically sustainable materials.
Explaining the importance of green buildings, Director General, TERI, Dr Pachauri said that GRIHA is more suited to Indian conditions than any other overseas ratings. He said that India could provide help to other nations to see that building sector across the globe is efficient and not be a parasite feeding on our depleting natural resources.
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