Indian Renewable Energy Programmes: Sustainable Development Milestones on Course for Lima
Indian Renewable Energy Programmes: Sustainable Development Milestones on Course for Lima
India is on the path to sustainable development and it is creating a massive buzz around the renewable energy programmes launched here at the climate talks coming up in Lima on Tuesday, 9th December, 2014. Minister of State for Environment Prakash Javadekar will be present in Lima for the high level segment.
Detailed Report on Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy
In a booklet created specially for the Lima conference, India has set out the achievements for climate change experts to observe. Over the past 30 years, India has given special emphasis to development, use and trial of different types of renewable energy technologies for different sectors, an official report prepared by the government explains.
Active Renewable Energy Programmes
India has one of the most active and functional renewable energy programmes in the world and successive governments here have worked to bring forth renewable energy applications to kickstart the Indian energy scenario. Other than electricity generation, application of these technologies have been benefitting rural folk as well through meeting of their productive energy needs such as cooking and illumination.
Decentralisation and an emphasis on environmental conservation form the cornerstones of India’s ecological programme. Total renewable energy capacity of the nation stood at 33 gigawatt or GW on October 31st, 2014. Wind energy includes another 70% of the installed capacity of 22.1 GW. This is closely followed by biomass power-4.2percent, small hydro power-3.9GW and solar power 2.8 GW.
Clean Energy Momentum
Renewable energy is powering around 65 billion units per year equalling around 6.5% in the total electricity mix. Around 1.1 million households employ solar energy and around 10,000 remote hamlets are powered through distributed renewable power systems. The 12th 5 year plan has projected a rise of 33% installed capacity of power in the year 2030 from renewable energy sources. India is also planning to shore up renewable energy to 165 MW from which solar energy will constitute around 100 GW by 2019-2020. Around 25 solar parks are proposed in India. India will also have 100,000 solar pumps for irrigation as well as drinking water. More incentives have been provided for investment and 10 year tax holiday will also be offered.
Currently, India is ranked world number 5 in solar water heating system, number 2 in biogas plants and the top spot in co-generation of bagasse. Environment minister Prakash Javadekar has said India is “open” to all discussions at the current climate change talks in Lima."I am going to Lima with confidence, a positive mindset, and an open mind for discussing anything," he also said. The Modi government is going to the Lima COP or Lima Conference of the Parties with the aim to create more awareness about India’s lasting commitment to environmental conservation and renewable energy.
About Lima COP
Around 195 countries will be part of the Lima COP for debating the next massive international climate agreement to be finalised and signed at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015.
India’s Role
India will be scaling up solar energy use by as much as 5 times from 20,000 MW to 100,000 MW over next 5 years, the minister also added. The nation is aiming to raise more revenue for clean energy as well as research in the field. The government has also raised the clean energy cess on coal by half to INR 100 per ton. A revised energy tax will lead to savings of 50 million tons of coal, which Javadekar said would be a “huge contribution to the world.” Ultra mega solar power projects are also being set up in states with INR 500 crore budgets for the promotion of renewable energy.
Clear Air and Clean Power
Minister Javadekar has also said that Central Pollution Control Board’s direction for establishing emission monitoring devices at certain highly polluting industries aims to ensure India can "walk clear water, clear air, and clean power.”
On the issue of Kyoto Protocol ratification, the minister made it clear that all parties to the protocol must ratify its second regime. Developing countries need funds to finance clean energy initiatives. The minister also said he was "confident that Lima COP will lay a good foundation for the new arrangement that will come about in Paris 2015".
Conclusion
India remains committed to combating climate change through the use of renewable energy. It would help if captains of the industry also cooperate and help to make the world a cleaner and greener place. While fossil fuel energy represents the past, clean renewable energy is the future of all of humanity. Companies need to consider this and follow ecologically conscious practices, if they want earth to be our home for the generations to come. Many reputed corporate groups are joining in the clean energy movement and much can be accomplished if the government works in tandem with all stakeholders of society to achieve its goals for India’s renewable energy programmes.
