India targets 10GW from renewable energy by 2012

The state secretary to the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has said that India plans to aim for 10GW of renewable energy in the 11th five-year plan (2007-2012).

Speaking at the South Asia Renewable Energy Conference hosted in New Delhi, V Subramanian, Secretary, Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said, "In the first year of the 11th five-year plan, we plan to add around 1.8 -2GW, majority of which would be through wind energy".

According to him, renewable energy need not be driven only by government policy, subsidies or initiative. He said that government should put up effective policies for renewable energy but the stakeholders in this sector should take it up from there. They should not wait for subsidies and incentives.

The working group for the 11th five year plan has proposed five programmes in the plan-grid -interactive and distributed renewable power, renewable energy for rural applications, renewable energy for urban, industrial and commercial applications, research, design and development for new and renewable energy, and supporting programmes.

A major portion of the proposed renewable power capacity addition in India is expected through private investment.

Overall, the Indian government has a target of 70GW power generation installed capacity during the 11th plan period.

By: New Energy Finance

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