The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : It is time to catch up with ‘green economics,’ says Yellappa Reddy

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Saturday, Dec 15, 2007
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It is time to catch up with ‘green economics,’ says Yellappa Reddy

Staff Reporter

40 per cent of land in Karnataka is barren
State sets target to produce 78,000 MW of power

— Photo: K. Gopinathan

Green energy: B. Shivalingaiah (left), Managing Director, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited, showing the exhibits displayed at the National Energy Conservation Day and Energy Conservation Award function to S.S. Patil (second from left), president, FKCCI, in Bangalore, on Friday.

Bangalore: It is time the State caught up with the age of “green economics” to address the “severe and sweeping” impacts of climate change, said Yellappa Reddy, former Secretary, Environment and Ecology.

Speaking here at a function organised by the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) on the occasion of the “National Energy Conservation Day” on Friday, he said that 40 per cent of land in Karnataka was barren and desertification in Karnataka, at 20 per cent, has exceeded that of Rajasthan.

Speaking on the need to switch over to renewable energy (RE) at a time when “killer waves, cyclones, floods and droughts” are on the increase owing to climate change, he said that the State needed to develop a time-bound agenda. “We cannot afford to wait anymore. Every development programme, policy package and the party election manifesto should spell out strategies for energy conservation,” he said

“The State should aim to meet 60 per cent of every district’s energy needs through solar and wind resources, and energy from agricultural, animal and human waste.”

S.S. Patil, president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry said the Government had set a target to produce 78,000 MW of power in the next five years. “But of this, it is estimated that 20 to 30 per cent of energy can be produced through renewable energy. This potential has gone largely untapped,” he said.

The concept of “renewable energy technicians” may not be a familiar one. But sensing a need for such expertise, the Ministry of Power could soon be approaching State Governments to create training courses in renewable energy technology, according to R.K. Hegde Additional Director, Central Power Research Institute.

“The idea is to have schools to train people in solar photovoltaic lighting, solar heaters, biomass based generators, small wind turbines and other forms of renewable energy technology,” Mr. Hegde said.

“The Union Ministry of Power will bear 70 per cent of the cost, for which Rs. 25 lakh has been earmarked under the Research Scheme on Power. The remaining 30 per cent will be borne by the State Government. While this is at a conceptual stage, the idea will soon be floated to various State Governments,” he said.

The KREDL’s Energy Conservation Award was conferred on Mother Dairy (Yelahanka), TVS Motor Company (Mysore), Hassan Dairy and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemical Ltd.

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