Now the renewable energy contributes 13 per cent of the total power generated in the country. It will touch 17 per cent mark by 2017,” said Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Renewable Energy (SSS-NIRE) Director Yogender Kumar Yadav attending a two-day long round table organised by the Oxfam here on Friday.
Yadav said India imports oil (80 per cent of total consumption) and coal (20 per cent of total consumption) from outside of the country. “It shows that we are depending on other countries to get our energy demands fulfilled,” he said, adding, “In this juncture, we have to think deeply about alternative energies to fulfill the energy demands.”
Though India has started producing power from nuclear sector, but its contribution is very low (only two per cent). “To keep our environment safe and to fulfillment our energy demands, we can rely on renewable energy including solar and wind and biomass,” Yadav said.
Attending as guest speaker of the round table, former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo criticised the State Government for beating its own drum by saying Odisha a power surplus State. “In peak period, Odisha produces 2,800-3,100 MW which is very low as the State needs more than 5,000 MW in this period,” he said.
Kanungo said the State Government is yet to provide electricity to several villages of the State.
Among others, former Member of Board of Revenue Dr Aurovindo Behera, Oxfam India regional head Akshaya Kumar Biswal and members of different NGOs were present.