Kalam’s prescription for energy independence by 2030

Terming energy independence as India’s ‘‘highest priority’’, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today said power generation in the country needed to grow over three-fold by 2030...

Terming energy independence as India’s ‘‘highest priority’’, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today said power generation in the country needed to grow over three-fold by 2030, including 50,000 mw by way of nuclear energy.

‘‘Based on the progress visualised for the nation during the next two decades, the power generating capacity has to increase to 4,00,000 mw by 2030 from the existing 1,30,000 mw,’’ he said while presenting corporate awards instituted by TERI. The President said with depleting reserves of fossil-based oil, coal and gas reserves, alternate sources of energy needed to be seriously considered.

‘‘Energy independence has got to be achieved through three different sources, namely hydel capacity, nuclear power and non-conventional energy sources primarily through solar energy, apart from thermal power,’’ Kalam said. He said while hydel capacity was expected to contribute an additional 50,000 mw, solar energy farms would contribute another 55,000 mw. ‘‘The nuclear power plants should have a target of 50,000 mw of power while the balance 115,000 mw has to be generated through conventional thermal plants through coal and gas and other renewable sources such as wind power, biomass, municipal waste and solar thermal power,’’ he said.

The President said power generated through renewable energy technologies had to be increased to 25 per cent from the present five per cent. On nuclear energy, Kalam envisaged rise in generation capacity from the current 2,700 mw to a massive 50,000 mw by 2030.

Kalam felicitated eight Indian corporates for environmental excellence and adopting healthy corporate social responsibility policies at the 5th TERI Corporate Award ceremony.

Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCC) bagged the first prize for environment-friendly industrial practices while Usha Martin Ltd won the first prize in the corporate social responsibility segment. SCC was awarded for its eco-friendly mining policies and for utilising industrial waste in a constructive manner. Usha Martin was honoured for its healthcare initiatives for women and children in 52 villages of Gujarat.

Hindustan Lever, Northern Collieries, Madras Aluminium Company, Mecpro heavy Engineering, Solaris Chemtech and Sakthi Masala were amongst other winners in various categories.