India's
Renewable Energy Sector and Green Energy Index Unaffected by Global Economic
Slowdown
November 21, Bangalore:
The global slowdown can be a tempting excuse for most to put ecological
concerns on the furlough. But India is moving purposefully towards sustainable
development, understanding the fierce urgency for economically sound, socially
equitable and environmentally responsible progress.
At a time when renewables comprise just 11.5%
of energy source in the United States, India stands tall with renewables
accounting for 32% of total electricity generation capacity. Even China and
Japan trail behind India at 21 and 20 per cent respectively. Recent reports
suggest the share of renewables in the Indian electricity basket is expected to
rise to 15 per cent by 2030 from less than five per cent currently.
For developing countries like India, the
global slowdown is an avenue for replacing archaic infrastructures and
upgrading and building transportation, communication, energy and water systems
in a sustainable manner. "The flip
side of the coin is the enormous economic, social and environmental benefits
likely to arise from combating climate change and re-investing in natural
infrastructure - benefits ranging from new green jobs in clean tech and clean energy
businesses up to ones in sustainable agriculture and conservation-based
enterprises," says UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner, in a bid to
offer up a sustainable solution for the current global crisis.
Former U.S. Vice President and Nobel Peace Laureate
Al Gore agrees. In a recent article in the New York Times, Al Gore is
quoted as saying, "The bold steps that are needed to solve the climate
crisis are exactly the same steps that ought to be taken in order to solve the
economic crisis and the energy security crisis". And India is listening.
The massive opportunity India offers to deploy
finance and technologies to create clean energy products and services, which
can leapfrog those employed in Western countries, has not gone unnoticed by the
investor and business community and the government, says Dilip Thomas, Steering
Committee Member/Program Chair & CEO of Saltmarch Media, the organizers of
Green Energy Summit (http://www.greenenergysummit.com/), Indias
first and biggest forum for Green Energy, Clean Technology and Renewable Energy
stakeholders.
The Indian state of Karnataka, for instance,
has set itself a target of generating 5,450 Mw of renewable energy resources in
the state by 2012 and 11700 Mw by 2018. K Jairaj, Principal Secretary of the
State's Energy Department, and a member of the Green Energy Summit organizing
team, has said plans are on to unveil a new renewable energy policy in early
2009, to boost energy production and consumption in the state. Jairaj says the
policy aims at creating appropriate channels to collaborate with industry,
supporting innovative technology, production and services, providing
decentralised energy supply to agriculture, industry and households,
strengthening the grid system and creating SEZs to promote renewable energy.
The oft-repeated statement that
subsidy-dependent Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) are not sustainable for
the long term have lessened. Tulsi R Tanti, chairman and managing director,
Suzlon Energy, recently noted that innovation and technology are rapidly
reducing development costs. Two years ago Suzlon was producing power [wind] at
Rs. 5 per Kwh. In 2008 the cost has come down to Rs 3.5 per Kwh and it is set
to come down by another rupee if the rate of progress continues.
Barack Obama's election as the president of
the United States is also expected to give a fillip to India's renewable energy
plans. The 44th US President believes the US should be involved in partnerships
with developing countries, such as India and China, to provide funding and
access to intellectual property that they need and desire. The President-elect
understands that tackling the global challenge of climate change requires US
leadership, and has reconfirmed his campaign promise to invest $15 billion a
year in low-carbon energy, including solar, wind, nuclear and next-generation
biofuels.
India has many RE laurels to its credit, says
Dr. Arcot Ramachandran, chairperson of Green Energy Summit 2009 and Former UN
Under Secretary General. It has the worlds largest decentralized solar energy
program, ranks second in the global renewable energy Attractiveness Index
poll, operates the worlds 2nd largest biogas program, ranks 4th as a global
'Wind Super Power' and fifth in the world in terms of exploitable hydro
electricity generation.
With the Indian market heating up while others
worlwide freeze over, be seen, be heard and be noticed in India's first summit
completely focused on what going green can do for you and your organisation.
Green Energy Summit 2009 is a world-class forum for varied stakeholders from
solar, wind, biomass, IT, transport, biofuels, construction, aviation,
nanotechnology and biotechnology to make their presence felt and attract
attention that matters. The summit will be held March 3-7 2009 in Bangalore,
India.
GES 2009 is supported by Govt. of India (DST),
MNRE, WCRE, IREDA, BEE, Govt. of Karnataka and several other governmental and
bi-lateral agencies. Confirmed speakers include Jairam Ramesh (Minister of
State for Commerce and Industry and Minister of State for Power, Government of
India), Dr. R K Pachauri, Dr. Hermann Scheer (President, World Council for
Renewable Energy (WCRE) and EUROSOLAR), Dr. Jamshed J. Irani (Director, TATA
Sons Limited), Pramod Deo (Chairperson, Central Electricity Regulatory
Commission), Dr. Dan Arvizu (Director, NREL), Michael T. Eckhart (President,
ACORE), H.E. Clini Corrado (Director General, Ministry for the Environment Land
and Sea, Italy and Chair, Global Bioenergy Partnership), Christopher Flavin
(President, World Watch Institute), Marianne Osterkorn (REEEP - Director
General), Mohamed El Ashry (Chairman REN21), Dr. Yogi Goswami (Former
President, ISES) and Thomas B. Johansson (Director, IIIEE & Co-recipient,
Nobel Peace Prize, 2007).
For further information on GES 2009, please
visit the summit on the web http://www.greenenergysummit.com/
A Saltmarch Media Press Release
E: info@greenenergysummit.com
Ph: +91 80 4005 1000