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Energy security, as an issue of
national strategic importance, came to take the centre stage of the planning
process against the backdrop of frequent rises in global crude oil price. The possibility of a downward trend in
global oil prices in the long-term now seems bleak. Our dependence on fossil fuels might continue for most part of
the 21st century. But
our oil reserves may not last longer than 2025 and coal reserves which were
earlier expected to last for another 200 years may now not last that long. Energy security has an important bearing on
the achievement of national economic development goals and raising quality of
life. The level of per capita energy consumption has for long been considered
as one of the key indicators of development. Dependence on crude oil in a
situation where its price is volatile and availability finite has to be shaken
off. India needs to develop alternate fuels to counter the problem. There seems to be
no alternative but to develop and deploy alternative sources of energy. India’s search for alternative fuels that
would ensure energy self-sufficiency began in the 1970s itself. Consequently,
it saw the emergence of new and renewable sources of energy. The Ministry
of Non-Conventional Energy Sources continues to support development and
deployment through broad-spectrum programmes covering the entire gamut of new
and renewable energies. These programmes broadly sought, inter alia, to
supplement fossil-fuel-based grid power; reach renewable energy to remote rural
areas, urban conglomerates, industrial enterprises and commercial
establishments. In addition,
exploitation of new energies and development of alternate fuels for transport
was envisaged. The
Ministry has nine Regional Offices, three specialised Technical Institutions
and one non-banking financial company under its administrative control to
promote its policy and programme initiatives. States have been advised to
promote commercial development in this sector. In addition, the Electricity
Act, 2003 contains several provisions to promote accelerated development of
power generation from non-conventional sources. The Common Minimum Programme
of the Government envisages electrification of all households by 2009. It has
been decided to take up electrification of villages, where grid extension is
not likely, through distributed renewable power systems. Under the Remote
Village Electrification Programme, the number of remote villages identified so
far stands at 24,418. As on 31.3.2005,
1944 remote villages and 594 remote hamlets have been electrified in the states
of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir,
Kerala, Manipur, Orissa, Tripura, Uttaranchal and West Bengal. In addition, projects are under
implementation in 1349 villages and 724 hamlets in 19 States/ UTs. These projects mainly use solar photovoltaic
systems and power plants. Biomass
gasifiers and small hydro power plants have also been installed in some
villages.
Village Energy Security To
free the villager from the energy insecurity s/he faces, a Village Energy
Security Programme (VESP) has been conceived.
It aims at demonstrating the technological viability of biomass
gasification, biomethanation and biofuel based systems for providing the entire
village energy needs of cooking, lighting and power. 24 pilot projects in
States of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal have initially been taken
up to demonstrate the concept, provide operational experience and test
different institutional structures. The
first project has successfully commissioned at village Kasai in Betul district
of Madhya Pradesh. The objective is
“AKSHYAY URJA SE DESHI VIKAS, GAON GAON BIJLI GHAR GHAR PRAKASH”. Exploitation of solar energy
continues to be a major thrust area of the Ministry. Systems deployed include
solar water heating systems with a total collector area of 1,000,000 sqm, over
half a million box type solar cookers and around 2100 solar concentrating/ dish
type cookers. SPV systems such as
portable lanterns, home / street lighting systems, water pumping systems and
stand-alone power plants are an option for meeting electrical energy needs of
remote areas where grid electricity has not yet reached. More than 1.2 million
such systems with an aggregate capacity of over 86 MW have been deployed so
far. However, high initial cost
continues to constrain the spread of SPV technology.
The Ministry’s efforts to increase
the share of renewables in the total power generation capacity of the country
have started bearing fruit. Renewables presently contribute about 5700 MW,
which represents about 4.99 per cent of the total installed power generating
capacity from all sources. Wind power contributes about 2980 MW, while biomass
power and cogeneration account for 727 MW and the share of small hydro power
1693 MW. Most of this capacity has come through commercial projects.
Wind Power The
gross potential of the wind power sector has been assessed as 45,000 MW. The
technical potential, at 20 per cent grid penetration, is estimated at 13,400
MW. India has the fourth largest wind power capacity in the world, largely
created on account of an enabling and conducive policy framework for commercial
wind power projects. Master Plans have been prepared for 97 potential sites
taking into account the zone of influence around each mast. Master plans for
some more potential sites are likely to be completed shortly. Tamil Nadu,
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Gujarat are the leading States in
establishing wind power projects. The
potential for power production from captive and field-based biomass resources
is currently assessed at 19,500 MW including 3,500 of exportable surplus power
from bagasse-based cogeneration in sugar mills. Against this potential, the
total installed capacity of commissioned projects is 727 MW and projects
aggregating to 600 MW capacity are under various stages of installation. Gasifiers using biomass and wood chips have
also been deployed for industrial thermal applications, water pumping and
decentralized power generation in kilowatt range. The
country has a small hydro power (projects of up to 25 MW capacity) potential of
about 15,000 MW. So far, 514 projects with an aggregate installed capacity of
1,693 MW have been installed. Besides,
159 projects with a capacity of 488 MW are under implementation. The database
of SHP projects created by the Ministry now includes 4,233 potential sites with
an aggregate capacity of 10,324 MW. An average capacity addition of about 100
MW per year from SHP projects is being achieved.
Biodegradable Wastes The
urban areas of the country annually generate an estimated 30 million tonnes of
solid waste and 4,400 million cum. of liquid waste. Several industries also
produce biodegradable wastes. A power generation potential of about 2,700 MW
from these wastes been estimated. The Ministry is promoting setting up of
projects for utilization of this potential.
Twenty-six ‘waste-to-energy’ projects for generation of biogas/ power
for captive use/ sale to grid, aggregating to 45.5 MWe capacity have been set
up so far. These include 6 projects of 19.5MWe capacity based on municipal
solid waste and 20 projects of around 26MWe capacity based on wastes such as
rice husk, pulp & paper industry effluents, tapioca & starch industry
effluents, distillery effluents, palm oil industry waste, slaughter house/
tannery waste, poultry droppings and cow dung.
Hydrogen Power There
have been significant advances in developing new and emerging renewable sources
of energy. Hydrogen is receiving worldwide attention as a clean and efficient
energy carrier with a potential to replace liquid fossil fuels. Hydrogen and
fuel cell technologies are emerging as a clean and efficient alternative for
stationary, portable and transport applications. Research and development
projects on different aspects of these technologies are underway at premier
institutions and industries. Hydrogen powered two wheelers, three wheelers,
catalytic combustors, and power-generating sets have been developed and
demonstrated. A National Hydrogen Energy Board set up by the Ministry in
October 2003 is in the process of preparation of the National Hydrogen Energy
Roadmap and an action plan for accelerating development of these technologies.
With a view of developing biofuel applications for rural areas, a demonstration
project in one village each in four States has been taken up for
implementation. The Ministry is also
supporting research and demonstration programme on electric and hybrid electric
vehicles.
Manufacture of Equipment A
number of small scale and medium sector units are engaged in the manufacture of
non-conventional energy equipment. More
than 100 companies are involved in the manufacturer of solar thermal systems
and devices. There are ten manufacturers of equipment for small hydro power
projects and another around ten manufacturers of biomass gasifier systems. More than 50 companies are involved in
production of SPV cells/ modules/ systems. The cumulative capacity of SPV
modules produced in the country till March 31, 2005 reached 191 MW. The annual
production of wind turbine industry is about 1,000 MW. Local production of wind
turbines of 1.25 MW, 1.65 MW and 2.00 MW capacity has been taken up. The
vibrant industrial infrastructure promoted by the Ministry in the country has
developed over the last two decades to not only cater to the demand for
renewable energy equipment, systems and devices within the country, but also
meet export demand. Products, which are being exported, include mainly solar
photovoltaic modules and systems, exports of which have reached an aggregate
capacity of around 105 MWp.
Wind turbines components have been exported to Europe, Australia and the
USA.
*Secretary, Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources
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Renewable Energy – Present scenario and challenges ahead
