Speaker offers constituency for sustainable energy project

The Ministry’s monthly newsletter is aimed at creating awareness on the use of non-conventional energy sources and reaching to districts the new initiatives undertaken by state governments for popularising cost-effective technologies including solar, wind, biomass and hydro sources.

‘‘Today, India ranks sixth in the world as far as energy demand is concerned. During the 10th Five Year Plan period, it is expected to grow at 5.2 per cent. That being so, we have to seriously work towards harnessing our non-conventional energy sources,’’ Chatterjee said. With the steady rise in oil prices and the possibility of future shortages, he said, it has become imperative to encourage renewable energy.

The Minister said advisory committees are also being established in every district to encourage locals to promote renewable energy. ‘‘We rank second in the world in biogas utilisation and fifth in the world on wind energy and solar photovoltaic technologies,’’ Muttamwar said. Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said his Ministry was keen on promoting use of non-conventional energy across the country on the model adopted in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.

Muttamwar said that about 1,700 MW of power can be generated from urban and municipal wastes and about 1,000 MW from industrial wastes.