Capitalising on Opportunities and Overcoming Constraints - A Round Table on Clean Energy Technology in Industry
August 3, 2001

Address of Mr Suresh Prabhu, Hon'ble Minister of Power

Speaking at the Roundtable on Clean Energy Technologies organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, USAID and Louis Berger Group, the Union Minister of Power, Shri Suresh Prabhu disclosed that the Energy Conservation Bill will be passed in the current monsoon session of Parliament. He congratulated FICCI and USAID for organising a Roundtable on this topical subject. While expressing concern over global climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, he laid emphasis on significant steps that need to be taken to tackle this problem. He said that changing climates affect our GDP growth, affect the coastal population and gradually the entire population and the ecosystem. Global warming causes drastic changes in climatic conditions that leads to loss of crop and reduction in GDP growth. It has a negative impact on overall economic growth and well being of our future generations. Therefore, we need to address this issue with seriousness. He said this Roundtable organised by FICCI is very timely and significant.

He said we have to resort to clean technologies to reduce GHG emissions. Technologies should not only aim at just reducing emissions, but at achieving zero emission levels. The transport sector is one of the largest of GHG emissions. We must reduce consumption of fossil fuels. The government has taken some steps to reduce pollution from this sector. Clean technologies must be implemented in this sector.

The energy sector is another large source of emissions. We must change the profile of electricity generation in the country. GOI has decided, that from the 12th Plan onwards, 20% of incremental power generation from nuclear sources, 20% from renewables and atleast 35% (medium term) from hydro sources. A plan is underway. and will be made public soon. All power plants in the country will be required to comply with ISO 14000.

He said it has already been decided to set up a special purpose vehicle that will take care of environmental issues on a stand-alone basis. The society for special purpose vehicle has already been registered.

While one addresses supply side issues, demand side management must also be addressed to achieve least cost economies.

The ecosystem is a unified system, so we need to take global action to address global problems. Cooperation of the international community is very important. For implementing clean energy technologies, there should be no geographical barriers. Movement of clean technologies should take place without much limitation. India not being an Annex I under Kyoto Protocol, we are not required to comply with emission reduction targets. Despite that, the GOI is taking several concrete steps on its own towards tackling environmental problems.