CEE Jan-Mar 2012

the programme to utilize fast growing tree crops such as bamboo, casuarina eucalyptus as the raw material for establishing a national network of small , decentralized biomass power plants. It is feasible to target the development of over 15,000 MW of capacity based on energy plantation in the next two five– year-plan periods. However, there are several policy barriers at both the central and state levels that need to be removed for expediting the development of energy plantations. States like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have taken initiatives towards this. Similarly, the union government's Green India Mission can be effectively leveraged for the same. Conclusion It is important for India to pay more attention to the development of biomass resources for power generation. So far, a fraction of the total potential has been converted to projects. Several large investors have shown interest but are concerned about sustainability issues. Some critical policy- and technology-related areas need urgent attention for improving the investment environment. These, in order of priority, are: • Establishing rationales and principles for feed-in tariffs • Additional financial support for different types of biomass energy projects till the market matures • Policy and financial support for technology upgradation and business pilots • Review and improvement of the policy environment for energy plantation. With appropriate steps in these areas, the biomass energy system can become the third most important resource base after coal and hydro for improving India's energy security and providing universal energy access. Courtesy: Renewable Watch, Nov. 2011 , Pp66-68. Wind HOW INDIA CAME TO HAVE MORE INSTALLED WIND– POWER THAN NUCLEAR Tulsi R Tanti Chairman & Managing Director, Suzlon Energy India J Pick up a newspaper or turn to any news broadcast in almost any part of the world today, and the biggest headlines and much of the space is devoted to the economic crisis, and how a recession may once again sweep through the world , stripping away savings, jobs and opportunities. One place, however, where I do see a marked difference, is in India. There is no doubt that the eurozone cns1s takes centrestage, but look deeper and you notice as much attention devoted to challenges we face at home, and how to solve them. When I read the papers, the sense I get is not one of a nation losing hope, or fearful of the future, but of sincere optimism, and with a sense of frustration at our own limitations and not being able to move fast enough. It's a common sentiment, I am afraid, and one I share. Growing at nearly over 8 per cent per annum and set to hold course for at least another two decades, the fact is that India is the envy of the developing and the developed world. Our momentum comes from our unique circumstances-a young ambitious population, a vibrant private sector, and government support through clear policies that give us long-term visibility. But our strengths are also our weaknesses. With a population of over 1.2 billion people (and home to the seven billionth person of the world!) we are a human– powered dynamo. And it is here that we are critically vulnerable. A population of the size of India's faces significant challenges with food , water and energy security in the years ahead. These are the most basic of needs, and there are no quick or easy answers. The fundamental issue in all this is that as we drive aggressive economic growth we have to find ways and means to make this development truly sustainable and, to my mind, the thread that connects all of these issues is energy. The Indian economy faces an enormous power deficit everyday, and nowhere more so than in rural India- the engine of the agricultural economy. We don't have the fossil fuel reserves to meet our current needs, let alone for the future – already an enormous part our fossil fuel needs are met through imports. It is clear that as long as we remain dependent on an already scarce resource, we will remain critically vulnerable-not just at a macro-economic level, but down to the livel ihood of each and every Indian. So how do we address this Challenge? I believe the answer lies in finding the right, sustainable mix of energy. I believe that every fonn of energy has a part to play, and that finding the right balance will determine our growth trajectory for the decades to come. Within the energy mix, however, lies the core of the answer and the opportunity to chart a new course. 58