Clean Tech

Even on conservative projections, India must more than double its primary energy supply and quadruple electricity generation over the coming 25 Years.

The Report of the Expert Committee on Integrated Energy Policy - part of India's powerful Planning Commission - envisages an increase in power generation from a current level of 160,000 megawatts to about 800,000 megawatts by 2030-31.

India is also under pressure to diversify its energy supply to avoid dependence on imported fossil fuels and low grade domestic coal.

Why is it important ?

The contribution of renewables to India's energy needs is potentially very large. The 11th Five Year Plan targets the addition of 14,050 MW of renewable power generation capacity by 2012.

According to some estimates, India could provision 10-20 Mtoe (Million tonne oil equivalent) - or more than half New Zealand's primary energy supply - from renewable sources excluding hydro power and traditional fuels by 2030.

India's programmes for renewable energy cover the full range of energy technologies, including small-scale and off-grid systems for rural areas, as well as grid-connected power generation for urban and industrial applications.

What are the opportunities?

Specific measures include incentives for a range of solar technologies (particularly for rural areas with limited access to electricity), subsidies for urban and industrial electricity demand management, incentives for wind, small hydro and biomass power generation and funding for research and development into geothermal and tidal power.

For New Zealand businesses opportunities exist to supply:

• Waste-to-energy technology
• Processes for efficient utilisation of biomass through combustion, gasification or biomethanation processes
• Efficient batteries to store power for solar lighting
• Off-grid power systems to meet energy needs in remote rural locations
• Expertise and technology in industrial energy efficiency and demand-side management

Interested in exploring the potential of the clean tech market in India? Contact us.