Alternative Energy Issues
India’s population now is more than 1.1 billion people, GDP growth is close to 9% per year. It is expected that energy demand of the country will reach 1 / 3 of the total world` by 2050. According to the report of the Integrated Energy Policy, to ensure economic growth of 8-10% till 2030, India will need to increase energy supply by 5-7 times.
Already now, India is the sixth largest energy consuming nation in the world. Alternative sources of energy currently account approximately not more than 5% of its generating capacity. India is heavily dependent on imported oil: more than 30% of its energy needs is covered at its expense. 70% of it is imported.
Therefore, energy independence is one of the most important priorities for India. Government had set targets for energy security for next decade and energy independence for next two decades.
India is planning to emphasize its development on alternative energy. The country plans to increase power generation capacity from 130 to 400 GW by 2030.
There is a lack of energy which is planned to be completed by:
• hydropower potential – up to 80 GW;
• solar energy – 55 GW;
• wind energy – 64 GW;
• Nuclear – 50 GW;
• And biomass.
In 2007, India added 2GW of capacity from renewable sources, mostly taken from wind.
Today, less than 10 giga watts of energy are being produced with the help of alternative energy.
India has got an important place in the market of wind energy: both in terms of installed capacity (4th place in the world), and in terms of capacity growth.
Solar energy has got small place in the country, due to the high cost of the technology. However, India produces photovoltaic cells now, with a capacity of about 65 MW and the state will continue to develop this area.
India has also developed the production of ethanol (4th largest producer in the world). Biodiesel industry is still in its infancy. Government is trying to encourage farmers to plant crops for their production, however, this measure does not bring tangible results.
Hydroelectric power in the country makes 33.9 GW. Only about 5% (1.7 GW) of it comes from small stations. India expects to increase its hydroelectricity to 50 GW by 2020.
According to experts, its hydropower potential is 150 GW. Only 23% of is involved nowadays.
India also has significant potential for geothermal energy. The geological survey has identified 350 hot springs in the north-western and western parts of India. It is estimated that the geothermal potential of the state is approximately 10 GW, however, it is practically not developed.
Investments into renewable energy sources come primarily from domestic market: from domestic banks, private investors and the state.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the most active investor in India now. Recently its capital was raised to $ 226 million, which will allow it to invest larger sums in projects.
About half of venture capital investments ($ 100 million) were sent to increase capacities of wind installations in 2006.
Regarding investment, it the annual increase in its volume should be noted. There is no doubt that the development of alternative energy in India will go ahead rapidly.
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