The BJP’s “ambitious action plan” in the energy sector, containing a rainbow of seven-energy sources and its systematic harnessing, “is on the table” for implementation should BJP come to power at the Centre, according to sources in the party.
They claimed the energy security plan, scripted by party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, had the potential “ to effectively transform lives of the common man” in the country. “The seven chariots in Modi’s rainbow vision of energy revolution aimed at putting India on the world map in the field of energy sources includes gas, thermal, hydro, solar, wind, bio-mass and nuclear energy,” they said referring to the plan for “energy security” that could hit the ground running if the BJP is saddled at the Centre after 2014 lok Sabha polls.
This rainbow vision to ensure energy security for all is also designed to cover the entire geographical stretch of the country “and thereby unite in a national grid”, they said while detailing the plan to The Pioneer. While Gas-based power plants are proposed in the States like Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, Thermal power plants are suggested in coal producing States like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and AP.
Similarly, Hydro power plants will come up in the Himalayan States of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the States of North East and Solar energy will be harnessed in the vast stretch of Thar Desert in Rajasthan and other States rich in solar energy like Gujarat. Wind power potential in states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala will be harnessed and Bio-mass power generation will be promoted in small towns across the country.
“As far as Nuclear energy power plants are concerned the country’s vast coastline, from the west coast to the east coast would be explored. Together, united in energy sufficient India, the rainbow principle of energy sufficiency will have the potential to fundamentally transform India,” they said. “The BJP prime ministerial candidate has thus sought to redefine the significance of the three colours in India’s national flag- green symbolising the agriculture revolution; white the milk revolution and saffron the energy revolution,” sources said drawing attention that “Modi-speak” is not a random one but a well thought our exercise with ground work done on difficult policy issues.
Political appeasement “is a very big factor” in India’s energy shortage problem with some States are providing free electricity/subsidies to some of the groups and due to this State electricity boards are facing financial problems. The blueprint of “Modi’s energy vision” points out that while in the United States and China, the per capita consumption of power stands at 11,919 KWh and 2,559 KWh respectively, in India, with a population of 900 million (1.2 billion minus 300 million without power), the per capita consumption stands at meager 778.71 KWh.
It stresses that to move towards “a low carbon economy”, India needs to switch to a major part of its electricity generation by renewable resources and draws attention to environmental friendly projects in Gujarat where harnessing of wind , tidal and solar energy has attracted the attention of the debate in securing energy security in the country.