The Weekend Leader - 'Ambiguity in renewable energy mix in 12th Plan document'

'Ambiguity in renewable energy mix in 12th Plan document'

New Delhi

28-January-2013

The final draft of the 12th Five Year Plan provides two different estimates of share of renewable energy in electricity mix by 2017, creating an ambiguity over the government's ambitious plan to increase the share of clean energy, according to a review released Monday.

The 'Review of India's Progress in Achieving National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)', prepared by the Climate Parliament - a network of cross-party members of parliament -- called for increased coordination amongst the ministries to achieve the target of 15 percent renewable energy.

"The NAPCC under the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change targets 15 percent of renewable energy by 2020. However, it is striking that the final draft of the 12th Five Year Plan Document provides two different estimates of share of renewable energy in electricity mix by 2017," the report said.

"While in one section, it (plan document) refers that the share of renewable energy in India's electricity mix is likely to reach 9 percent by the end of 2017, in another it states target of achieving 12 percent," it said.

The 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017) is crucial for assessing renewable energy achievements, setting the mid-term goals and suggesting measures for achieving NAPCC targets.

There is considerable activity towards renewable energy development in the country.

"However, since the 2011-beginning, a number of reports published by the government on the policy developments in this sector, do not necessarily align themselves to the NAPCC targets and quote different figures for the renewable energy installations, power supply, projected energy demands and others," it said.

The present share of renewables in India's energy is about five percent.

The Climate Parliament called for the urgent need of coordination and commitment amongst the key government bodies, towards owning and implementing 15 percent renewable energy by 2020.

"It is essential that all the ministries and organisations related to the power sector own the target set by the NAPCC," it said. - IANS



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