Bihar would soon follow a very decentralized approach to solve the Energy crisis. This means the use of Renewable Energy for Power Issues. Recently Greenpeace India has advised Bihar Government to adopt this approach. In a 38-page report titled Empowering Bihar: Policy pathway for energy access, prepared by experts from Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Greenpeace stressed to utilise solar energy.
Bihar has been facing acute shortage of power. The report said that as against the demand of 1,500MW in the state, only around 950MW is available. Thus, the annual per capita consumption of power across the state is only 95 units against the national average of 717 units.
Considering the constraints of coal linkage and scarcity of natural resources, the state is struggling to augment power generation through conventional sources of energy, including thermal power plants.
According to the report, decentralised energy systems offer opportunities to transform the state’s rural areas significantly by enhancing the overall socio–economic capacities. The state has several natural and strategic advantages such as solar potential, which could be the main source of energy for the state in the coming years.
“Being an agriculturally-dominant state it has the potential to produce abundant agricultural residue that could be used for energy generation. Along with this, it also has potential for developing small scale hydro power and wind power in the northern parts of the state,” the report said.
Ramapati Kumar, campaign manager, Greenpeace India, said that the organisation has been campaigning on decentralised renewable energy in Bihar since 2010, and believes that DRE can revolutionise the energy situation of the state.
“What is needed is a robust policy that would enable an environment to kick start the process,” Kumar said.Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar [ Images ] Modi too supported the organisation’s recommendations.
Modi agreed that there is less potential for wind power in Bihar, but the state has strong and clear sunsine for 8 to 9 months a year, making it ideal for the production of solar energy.
Modi said that some renowned companies including Moser Baer [ Get Quote ] had approached the government to set up renewable energy plants in the state.
Dr Anjula Gurtoo, lead author of the report said, “The report recommends integrated energy planning and institutional changes in the immediate short term while demanding adequate governance structures and policy changes in the long term. The suggestions in the report are aligned with the state’s need to increase its investment capacity, generate developmental benefits and minimise environmental damage.”