INTERVIEW : MALINI MEHRA

'We need major rebranding of the renewable industry/

Posted: Monday, Jul 28, 2008 at 0015 hrs IST
Updated: Monday, Jul 28, 2008 at 0015 hrs IST

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: workshop of the world with a heart-stopping rate of growth. But it has not been without its environmental consequences. So, China has its challenges. But it is also ahead of the game than India when it comes to addressing its climate and energy challenge.

The Chinese have deployed energy efficiency measures faster and more effectively than India. And it’s showing in their bottomline in a much more dramatic way than India’s investment in renewable is showing in national productivity. So, while India has a good story to tell in terms of renewable energy, China has a much better story to tell in terms of energy efficiency.

What is the Chinese prescription for the industry?

The Chinese have been smart in using a combination of incentives as well as subsidy-based schemes to shift industrial practices and processes. For example, they’ve introduced incentive schemes for corporates to meet energy efficiency targets rather than just economic development targets; and are considering a surcharge to power rates with the aim of using new funds for energy savings activities. They have established a special fund to promote energy efficiency during its 11th five-year plan and allocated $900 million for energy efficiency support in 2007 alone.

What can the Indian government do to get the private sector to participate more in the renewable energy sector?

The best thing the government can do is to provide a clear vision, leadership, consistent policies and excellence of governance across the sector. It needs to demonstrate an unequivocal political commitment to a low-carbon future for India, which will unlock even more opportunities for the growth of renewables and energy efficiency. Importantly, given the low degree of energy access and high degree of energy poverty in our country, the government needs to scale up support for small-scale energy producers and eco-efficiency innovators.

How do you see the future of renewable energy in India? Will we become a manufacturing hub for the rest of the world or an end user ourselves?

The future for renewables is positive. But we need to sell it better. Renewables have for too long been seen as the preserve of the geek or the rural poor. It needs a change of image. This is not only about smokeless chullahs, solar lanterns and small-hydro water pumps. It is about how to power India for the 21st century and offer a quality of life for rich and poor alike that is just and sustainable. If...

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