India is focusing on non-conventional sources of energy to reduce the use of rapidly depleting fossil fuel. Another reason is that it is easier to reach out to the hinterlands with non-conventional forms of energy. ?We intend to reach out to the interiors of the country, small clusters and hamlets with non-conventional sources of energy like solar, wind, bio-fuels and hybrid power?, Deepak Gupta, secretary, ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE), told FE.
MNRE has set a target of 1,100 mw of grid solar power and about 200 mw capacity of off-grid by March 2013. More than 20 lakh small solar PV systems, especially for lighting, have been installed. Wind power capacity is also increasing. In the next two years, another 4,500 mw capacity addition is likely to take place. India has installed12,000 mw wind power generation capacity against a potential of 48,500 mw.
India is also producing bio-diesel, mainly from jatropha oil. Jatropha cultivation has been taken up in about 9 lakh hectares in several states, and 2,150 tonnes per day capacity for bio-diesel production is already in place.
MNRE gives financial incentives for survey and investigation and setting up of small hydropower plants. Against a potential of 15,000 mw, over 2,700 mw capacity addition has been achieved through hydro projects with a capacity of up to 25 mw. The ministry has been seeking an early allotment of sites by states.
But the ministry?s waste-to-energy scheme has not been very successful. This is because the practice of source segregation of waste at the household level is non-existent. Only two projects of 6.6 mw each based on refuse-derived fuel, have been commissioned, in Andhra Pradesh.
