India may be high up there among the top greenhouse gas emitters but there are many attempts to wean away from fossil fuel dependence. In what is a first for the country, the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (Meda) has commissioned a wave energy project in Guhagar area of Konkan region. Implemented by private company Apar Urja, the pilot project can generate 25 kW with a initial cost of Rs 40 lakh. This will soon be upgraded to generate 250 kW and then 1 MW by August 2009 after which commercial generation will be commenced.
Around 150 sites have been identified along the state coast for similar projects.
The cost of power generated according to the state ministry of non-conventional sources is Rs 1/KWh which means it si cheaper than conventional power. The technology makes it possible to harvest energy of low energy waves also by tapping both upward and horizontal thrust of waves, unlike existing plants, says the company.
The centre has announced big plans to save 10,000 MW by 2012 through energy efficiency measures. To start with, air conditioners and refrigerators will have to mandatorily exhibit efficiency labelling by next year. More appliances will be included soon.
Meanwhile, Karnataka has plans of formulating a renewable energy policy. Solar technologies in domestic, public and institutional buildings, a green cess to be used to fund more renewable energy projects, energy conservation and efficiency measures to release 1000 MW, etc have been proposed. Some aspects need more detailed structural definitions while some like processing fee and extension fee could be reduced. But overall, such moves indicate an encouraging trend in the country.
With a renewable energy law to be enacted at the centre, things are poised for a change. What do you think is the push needed to set things going for renewable energy? More laws? More incentives? More new technology? Innovative financing?
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