WISE to hold meet on renewable energy

Studies done by the World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE),Pune,show that among all the Indian states,Karnataka has high renewable energy (RE) potential of more than 28 GW,of which only 3.45 GW has been tapped so far (as on Nov 2011). This includes 1,929 MW of wind,86 MW of biomass,782 MW of bagasse co-generation,646 MW of small hydro,and nine MW of solar. Wind offers the maximum potential,with an untapped capacity of 11 GW. The huge untapped RE potential also creates a huge investment opportunity. Significant potential also exists for the solar,small hydro,bagasse co-generation and biomass sectors. With an RE Policy that envisions generation of 6,600 MW of renewable electricity by 2014,and a Renewable Purchase Specification of 7-10 per cent already in place,Karnataka is definitely moving in the right direction.

The conference is aimed at providing a thorough understanding of the prevailing environment for development of renewables in the state,identifying the challenges and barriers to implementation of the Karnataka renewable energy policy for accelerated development of renewables,and charting a future roadmap for the growth of the renewable sector.

Wise,Pune,has been closely associated with the RE sector in Karnataka,undertaking various projects and supporting policy formulation for the state. Notably,WISE has prepared the ‘Clean Energy Technology Action Plan for Climate Mitigation for Karnataka’,and also come out with a project report for ‘Capacity Building and Strengthening of KREDL’.