In order to develop this unique energy, we have in India the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), which has been spearheading the Indian renewable energy movement. Conceived as the promotional and financial arm of the ministry of non-conventional energy sources in 1987, IREDA has today achieved good success in its efforts.

The organisation's basic mission is to be a pioneering, participant friendly and competitive institution for sustainable development and promote and financeself-sustaining investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The objectives of the organisation are basically to promote renewable energy, extend financial support to manufacturers and users and assist in the rapid commercialisation of the use of renewable energy.

The achievements are many. From being the global pioneer in the new and renewable energy sources, IREDA has handled over 837 projects and has been making profits and paying dividends since inception. In addition, IREDA has also added new technologies like energy efficiency and hybrid systems to its wide portfolio of renewable energy sectors.

Its current fields of operation include wind energy, small hydro, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal systems, solar cookers, biomass co-generation, and power generation, biomass gasifiers, bio-methanation from industrial effluents, biomass briquetting and energy recovery.

Rapid technological advancement, growing investments and large private sector participation are making renewable energy apromising business proposition. Recognising this, IREDA has decided to enter the field of consultancy in energy planning, financing and promotion. This consultancy is provided in areas like institutional development, project technical services, feasibility reports, appraisal techniques, joint ventures, concurrent monitoring, technological transfer, procurement guidance, planning and monitoring services, entrepreneurship development programmes, manpower training and modelling institutions along the lines of IREDA.

Loans are also provided to customers for battery powered vehicles, biomass-based co-generation (including sugar industry), wind power development programmes, establishment of energy centres, solar thermal energy, micro hydel sets, high efficiency wood burning stoves, small-scale biogas plants and development of waste to energy systems.

IREDA also envisages a unique scheme for women, whereby term loans are provided to women under a concessional scheme. This is being carried out primarily togenerate entrepreneurial potential among women in the new and renewable energy sector, to disseminate this technology at the grassroot level through women, to generate awareness about the programme as a viable alternative and to make the movement sustainable, mass-based and enduring.

The efforts are laudable. We should realise that we do not have the energy to survive us for long. If a meagre 3 per cent of all Indians could be convinced of the economic and ecological advantages of solar cooking, about 3.2 million tonnes of wood could be saved annually.

This corresponds to the reduction of 6.2 million tonnnes of carbon dioxide emissions. We need to take a decision fast. And we are helped in this endeavour by organisations like IREDA.

``Renewable energy use requires attitudinal change''

IREDA managing director Dr V Bakthavatsalam talks to Alice Guram

The projects sanctioned by IREDA have been steadily rising since inception till we saw a steep rise in the year, 1996-96. Why was therea downfall in the subsequent year?

The steep rise in project sanctions during 1995-96 was an exceptional achievement due to extremely conducive circumstances in terms of the economy and the market. The downfall in the subsequent years was a result of the general recession in the economy, which affected all entrepreneurs who ventured into renewable energy projects. Despite this, the average growth rate has been on the rise with respect to sectoral portfolios.

What are IREDA's various projects with regard to solar cookers and their sale?

IREDA provides interest-free loans for the purchase of solar cookers. IREDA has also initiated a new scheme for setting up of energy centres by private entrepreneurs, which will be a one-stop shop for renewable energy and energy efficiency products, including solar cookers. The ministry of non-conventional energy sources also promotes the setting up of solar shops in association with state nodal centres.

Despite the loan schemes, the use of renewableenergy is still not picking up as required. What are the various schemes outlined for the new millennium? Any special focus in the next century?

The use of renewable energy is not picking up as expected due to the absence of a level playing field as compared to conventional energy, especially with regard to price, subsidies and marketing. The attitudinal change in consumers is also required for easy acceptability of renewable energy utilisation. IREDA intends to intensify marketing efforts through networking institutions such as Business Development Associates and energy centres to reach out to remote areas and unexplored market segments in the utilisation of renewable energy in the new millennium.