Y ear 2003 was a mixed bag of results. Though most stakeholders seem satisfied with the progress achieved in 2003 in terms of capacity added, on the RE policy front, things were a little bit disappointing. About 400 MW capacity was added during the year, the bulk of it in wind energy, small hydroelectric and biomass/cogeneration. "The year 2003 represents a golden era in the history of deployment of RE-based power projects in the country," claims Rakesh Bakshi, Chairman, RRB Consultants and Engineers, a prominent wind energy company. The sector received a boost by a special allocation of Rs 200 million (ca Euro3.5 million) to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for launching incentive-driven research in the fields of solar energy, wind turbines, and hydrogen as alternatives to fossil fuels. This, hopefully, should give a push to innovation efforts in the sector. Also, moves such as further interest rate cuts, and increases in power tariffs in most states, came as a shot in the arm for RE projects and promoters. However, the much-awaited Electricity Act 2003, which was passed by the Parliament, dampened the sentiments of most RE stakeholders. Though the Act has several provisions indirectly favourable to RE power including rural electrification, and open access systems, it specifies no mandatory requirement to source www.re-focus.net
Developing Countries
Is the absence of a National RE Policy proving to be the vital missing link in India?
In India, renewable energy technologies have a strong industrial base and successful commercialisation of these technologies is likely to continue over a period of time