Experts call for energy laws

Unlike in the West, which has enforced renewable energy laws, India is yet to bring in a legislation to break the present barriers in increasing renewable energy resources. Speaking at the energy summit organised by FICCI Tamil Nadu state council, he said Coimbatore is a significant contributor to the state's power production. Of the 250 million units of power generated, 70 million units come from wind power.

Though it is possible to generate more wind power, most of the time windmills are in a state of dysfunction due to inadequacy of lines. He mentioned that 3 billion units of wind power were generated last year. As in the West, there is need to prepare and schedule wind energy so that it can be managed effectively.

Mr Nandakumar, convener, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, energy panel, said according to a FICCI report on power transmission, power shortages currently cost India a GDP loss of USD 68 billion which is 0.4 per cent of India's GDP.

The present energy demand in the state is 13,000-13,500 MW, which is expected to go up to 14,500 MW by 2014-15. Energy demand is constituted by a majority of energy intensive industries to an extent of 45 per cent and these industries contribute 25 per cent of India's GDP of 1.7 trillion USD. The industries largely depend on primary fossil fuel.

"International Energy Agency studies show that until 2030 we need to rely on fossil fuels and the present energy basket constitutes 73 per cent of fossil fuel. There is need to focus on renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, geothermal to channelise the best resources towards energy production," he added.

Mr Mahendra Ramadass, ex-president, Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers Association, Coimbatore, said there is need to have more super thermal power plants and also focus on energy efficiency. He said policies should be consumer-oriented and cross-subsidy should be eliminated.