Wednesday, February 3, 2010

BWI: REEEP Organizes a Workshop on ‘Mainstreaming Solar Energy Development in India’ at DSDS 2010

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Wednesday, February 03, 2010 05:00 PM IST (11:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Economy, Environment, People, Social issues; Business: Energy companies; Technology
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REEEP Organizes a Workshop on 'Mainstreaming Solar Energy Development in India' at DSDS 2010
The Workshop in Association with Research Council of Norway and Institute of Energy Technology, Norway Deliberated on Mainstreaming Solar Energy Development in India

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Wednesday, February 03, 2010 -- (Business Wire India) -- In 2009 India launched a plan to become the world leader in solar energy by unveiling the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. The country has an ambitious plan to increase installed, grid-connected solar capacity from the current three megawatts (MW) to one gigawatt (GW) by 2013, and 3 GW by 2017. By 2022, the country aims to have 20 GW of solar power with an initial investment of 946.9 million USD.

REEEP (Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership) in association with RCN (Research Council of Norway) and IFE (Institute of Energy Technology), Norway organized a one-day special event in DSDS 2010, which deliberated on the key aspects of mainstreaming the solar energy development - ranging from R&D and regulatory aspects to financing. Present on the occasion were Mr. Binu Parthan, Deputy Director General, REEEP International Secretariat, HE Ms Ann Ollestad, Ambassador, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Ms. Gauri Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India, and Mr. Amit Kumar, Regional Strategic Advisor, REEEP South Asia Secretariat.

Elaborating on the solar energy development, Mr. Binu Parthan, said, "With the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission India has taken a voluntary leadership role to low-carbon energy transition. REEEP is working on several projects to disseminate solar energy in many parts of the world with governments, and NGOs, etc. The Indian Solar Mission has the right kind of ingredients for its implementation and has opportunities for innovative partnerships. We are excited to work with the Indian government. We hope that several initiatives under this mission would be undertaken to encourage rural energy access. "

Giving the special address, HE Ms Ann Ollestad, said, "Recognizing the challenges in the solar development, the Solar Mission has facilitated an environment for investments in the sector to create a domestic solar industry. Norway with its cutting edge technologies look forward to collaborate with India that has already begun with the entrance of two major Norwegian companies. I am happy that different stakeholders working in renewable energy are coming together and this conference has provided them with an important platform for exchange of ideas. "

Addressing the esteemed audience, Ms Gauri Singh, said, "REEEP and Norway are working closely with MNRE to promote renewable energy, particularly addressing rural energy deployment in India. Norway is one of the few countries that 'walk the talk' and with MNRE are electrifying 30 remote villages through solar energy in states like Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, etc. " While updating the audience on the progress in the Solar Mission, she added, "We are moving fast in operationalising the mission. REEEP is closely working with the Ministry and IREDA on renewable energy certificates, this would also help in opening the renewable energy sector."

Mr Amit Kumar reiterated the commitment of REEEP to bring together the relevant stakeholders and facilitating innovative practices towards achieving the goals of the National Solar Mission.

The workshop focused on how the private sector can complement the government in attaining the targets set under the National Solar Mission. The discussions were centered around (a) the kind of enabling environment that would be required to be created encompassing key elements of policy, regulations, financing, and research. & technology development; and (b) the role of international linkages and knowledge-sharing in accelerating the process, especially concerning access to technologies.

The main objectives of the workshop were:

-- To highlight the business opportunities arising from the National Solar Mission

-- To provide a platform for exchange of ideas and sharing experience between the international and national solar fraternity

-- To encourage technology partnerships

The workshop saw participation of experts from the government, regulatory commissions, public and private sector, financial institutions, academia, and R&D institutions.

The following table shows the summarized targets during each of the 3 implementation phases, creating the secure conditions needed for possible investments.

To view the table please click on the link given below:

Summarized Targets During Each of the 3 Implementation Phases

While recognizing the issues pertaining to the off grid generation and grid parity, the Mission has chalked out an ambitious yet realistic plan and the government is keen on ensuring that the implementation of the plan is transparent, time-bound, and effective.

Policies formulated and developed in the first phase of mission will create the necessary environment to attract industry and project developers to invest in research, domestic manufacturing and development of solar power generation. A solar research council is proposed to be set up to provide direction for comprehensive R&D activities besides exploring the possibilities of international collaboration.

As far as utility - scale solar power is concerned, it is proposed to appoint NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (NVVN) as the designated nodal agency to enter into power purchase agreements (PPA) with solar power developers and buy electricity from these developers. The Central Energy Regulatory Commission (CERC) will set the tariffs for the same. Initially the PPAs will be signed with all the developers, setting up the projects within the next three years. NVVN will sell the power to the various state - owned distribution companies at the prices fixed by CERC.

About The Renewable Energy and Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)

REEEP is a global public-private partnership formed in 2002 during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and has the status of an international NGO. The partnership structures policy initiatives for clean energy markets and facilitates financing mechanisms for sustainable energy projects with a clear aim of accelerating and expanding the global market for renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. REEEP partners include governments, businesses, NGOs, financiers and other representatives of civil society. By providing opportunities for concerted collaboration among its partners, REEEP aims to accelerate the marketplace for renewable energy and energy efficiency. The South Asia Secretariat, hosted by Asian Energy Institute, was launched on 30th November 2005.
For picture(s)/data to illustrate this release click below:

http://www.BusinessWireIndia.com/attachments/Table(3).pdf
Table(3).pdf


CONTACT DETAILS
Ms. Sonya Fernandes, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), +91 (11) 24682100, Extn - 2367, sonya@teri.res.in, sonya.fernandes@reeep.org

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT, PEOPLE, SOCIAL, ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY

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