The Hindu : Business : Renewable energy: cooperation with U.K.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 04, 2004

Business

Business

Renewable energy: cooperation with U.K.

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 3. The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEP), the U.K. Government and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) have decided to become facilitators to fulfil the ambitious plan of having 10 per cent share in the total installed power capacity by 2012 in India.

At an interactive meeting organised by the Assocham, Sarah Hendry, Head of the Global Atmosphere Division, Department of Environment, U.K., said the REEP had already built the commitment in nine regions — Africa, Asia, Central and East Europe, North America and LAC.

She further said at present there were over 20 projects under way to provide faster, more cost effective ways of delivering changes that would accelerate the market development of renewables and energy efficiency.

The REEP is a global partnership of governments, business, finance and other organizations and are committed to working together to deliver policy, regulatory and financing frameworks.

Responding to the Assocham Alternate President, Anil Agarwal's suggestion for partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Kate White, Head of Climate Change, said, the U.K. was already committed to reduce the same to 12.5 per cent below 1990 levels by 2012.

She said the U.K. had targeted for 10 per cent of the U.K.'s electricity to be supplied from renewable energy and at least double the capacity of combined heat and power by 2010.

She mentioned that the U.K.'s new energy policy will ensure that energy, environment and economic growth are properly and sustainably integrated.

Therefore, the U.K. was putting itself on a path towards reducing carbon-di-oxide emissions of nearly 60 per cent from the current levels by 2050.

The Chairman of Assocham Expert Committee on Renewable Energy, Rakesh Bakshi, lamented that the Electricity Act 2003 has failed in defining the exact role of renewable sources of energy and therefore, stressed the need for a separate Act with a view to tapping the huge untapped potential in wind, solar and biomass sectors.

He said, in the wind sector over 97.5 per cent of the total investment has come from the private sector but he government policy has to encourage and promote this sector.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Business

News Update

Stories in this Section

Microsoft makes $1.6 b peace with Sun

BHEL net up 38 p.c.

Renewable energy: cooperation with U.K.

International Clothing Bureau meet

Efforts to consolidate shares in TMB

Forex reserves exceed $110 b

Tatas sell stake in Tata Telecom to Avaya