FOR NEW ENERGY IN INDIA

India’s renewable energy: Time for private and public sectors to step up to the plate
Hiro Chandwani, 15 April 2011 (CSP Today)

"Currently in India large capacities are being added in the power generation field, mainly via conventional thermal power (using coal and natural gas)…[A] handful based on renewable energy sources like wind and solar…[but there is] an acute shortage of well-trained and experienced operation and maintenance staff…

"The scenario is worse for the renewable energy sector. The technology, solar thermal in particular, is not yet well developed or understood in India. Similarly in the wind energy sector…[though] the technology is mature…[New solar power plant] technologies make it difficult to locate plant and machinery manufacturers…[and] technology suppliers…[Even for the so-called established technologies,] suppliers are few in numbers and have limited experience…and the capital costs are exorbitant."

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"…[But] there is no shortage of technological talent in India…[I]t would not be difficult to line up technocrats to work on and develop new technologies and equipment for any field…But it will require strong [encouragement and support] on the part of state and central governments, as well as from within India’s private sector…It is likely that individuals and organisations have already developed new technology but are constrained by financial limitations…[With support,] this talent [can] deliver not only the best technology, but at much lower capital costs.

"Stakeholders within the public and private sector must initiate bold steps to support local research and development initiatives. Not only does India have the capacity to locally develop the technology needed to build renewable energy projects; it also has the capacity to build a skilled work force capable of operating and maintaining these projects."

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"…[But] India’s public sector is weighted down by bureaucracy…[and] its private sector is reticent to invest in R & D, preferring…available technology, mostly from overseas, no matter the cost…[or] operation and maintenance [problems]…[I]ncreased production costs resulting from inefficiencies will be borne by end users who can ill afford to foot the bill.

"Now is the time for India’s public and private sectors to step up to the task of internalising the development India’s renewable energy sector…Public sector resources should be dedicated to R&D…[so India can reap the benefits] domestic green economy…Capital costs will be much lower…[T]raining programmes could be devised for design and development as well as for operation and maintenance…[of solar power plants and wind, moving India into] a position to venture into developing technology for other sources of renewable energy such as tidal, wave and geothermal."