Cement Energy and Environment

. . \ the National Clean Energy Fund. In addition, states could be persuaded to establish a similar green energy development fund by levying a green cess. The road ahead There is little doubt among investors about the union and state governments' commitment towards developing renewable energy projects. However, it is important that the government backs its commitment by a clear road map. This is critical for attracting and retaining investor interest in the sector. As Bhatia says, 'Things at present seem very exciting and with a few enhancements in the policy framework, we might come very close to achieving the NAPCC target. That said, the underlying imperative of the Twelfth Plan should be to provide business case certainty through a policy frame work that provides transparency, longevity and certainly." Courtesy: Renewable Watch, September 2011, Pp18-20. RENEWABLE ENERGY 'RULES THE ROOST' IN 2010 Global energy consumption registered steady growth in 2010 after an overall downturn in 2009. Renewable energy which survived the financial crisis in 2009, continued to grow strongly in all end-use sectors-power, heat and transport-and supplied an estimated 16 per cent of global final energy consumption. Renewable energy accounted for approximately half of the estimated 194 GW of new electric capacity added globally during the year and delivered close to 20 per cent of global electricity supply in 2010. By early 2011 , RE comprised a quarter of global power capacity from all sources. These encouraging statistics from the highlights of the 'Renewables 2011 Global Status Report' published by the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the ·21 51 century (REN 21 ). The report provides an overview of the status of renewable energy worldwide as of early 2011. Following is a summary of the report. Status of renewables in major countries In the US, REmade up 10.9 per cent of domestic primary energy production, an increase of 5.6 per cent relative to 2009. China added an estimated 29 GW of grid-connected renewable capacity, for a total of 263 GW. Renewables accounted for about 26 per cent of China's total installed electric capacity, 18 per cent of generation, and more than 9 per cent of final energy consumption in 2010. Germany met 11 per cent of its total final energy consumption with renewable sources, which accounted for 16.8 per cent of electricity consumption, 9.8 per cent of heat production and 5.8 per cent of transport fuel consumption. Wind power accounted for nearly 36 per cent of renewable generation, followed by biomass, hydropower, and solar photovoltaics {PV). Wind power met a large part of electricity demand in Denmark (22%), Portugal (21%}, Spain (15.4%), and Ireland (1 0.1 %). Table 1 indicates the five countries and their existing RE capacity in 2010. Sector-Wise Additions Table 2 provides sector-wise RE installed capacities and other ind icators, and a comparative statistical analysis from 2008- 10. 23