The Government has given the green signal for the FAME policy and many indigenous companies have technology at hand. Clean environment in the capital city is undoubtedly doable and needs to be implemented whole-heartedly
And its not that voices have not been raised. Such issues have been raised at various forums at different points in time. Among all, there has been a widespread call for the need for a clean environment for our future generations. But at the ground level situations are exactly the opposite.
So, here is a simple solution that I would request all to not look at just from the primary view of cost but also look at the secondary and tertiary drivers which may eventually drive the initiatives we all may really want.
Before I start with the mathematics, I would like to factually state that there is no common man. less than five per cent of the population in the capital city works on a 20-year plan and most of them do not understand the concept of sustainable living.
Now coming back to the math with Delhi being the case point. It is a well known fact that the capital city’s air is extremely poisonous to breathe. It is expected to get even worse in the next 60 days with the onset of summer.
The National Capital Territory of Delhi covers a land area of about 1,484 sq km. Of this about 51 per cent is urban and 49 per cent is rural. Delhi has about 18 billionaires and 23,000 plus millionaire families (common man); this being the known number, adding the unknown might triple this count.
Total wealth of Delhiites is over $450 billion or higher — we are far bigger than many countries put together. Approximately 27 per cent of the land area is built up. The rest being the roads, open spaces, farms etc. Twenty seven per cent of the 1,484 sq km equals to about 400 sq kms and Delhi’s electricity peak load stands at 6,000 Megawatt (MW) and counting.
Change will only happen only if the 2.6 crore population vow to change their behaviour. But how can this happenIJ Well, the Government has done its bit. Various policies have already been put in place. They just need to be implemented tooth and nail.
As a first step, there should be an increase in the cost of power to a base of Rs 20 per unit. The effect of the 27 per cent built-up area of 400 sq km, more than 25 per cent today, can be used immediately to generate rooftop solar-power, aggregating to about 3,200 MW (contiguous panel installation we can get 50 MW per sq km, rooftop we get 32 MW per sq km), we will be coal free for almost six months a year.
And the regular power coming at Rs 20 per unit, the business case to adopt solar will immediately make sense — all factory sheds can be immediately converted. Net metering policy of the Government is already in place, effectively what we do not use during the day we will consume at night.
Many companies today offer solar power at six rupees per unit — zero investment upfront — all they need is rooftop access. The builders will be forced to convert all south facing walls to solar-panels at zero cost. Its just that the attitude needs to be changed and with the cost increase it will — very soon.
Another 10 per cent (40 sq km) can be converted very easily for solar rooftop use. This will add another 700 MW as the power cost goes up change, air-conditioner tech has evolved from using archaic power guzzler compressors to inverter models which save 30-50 per cent in annualised bills.
Given the fact that pricing has come down substantially for many electrical products like the light-emitting diode (lED) bulbs — a 10 watt lED bulb offers the same amount of light as the older 60 watt bulbs, therefore, there will be 6x saving.
We will save another 300 MW moving to such green technologies. Factories and offices, motivated due to the financial impact, will relocate eventually and that will reduce further demand for traffic/water/ power/public services etc. As also help smaller towns develop. Tier down effect will be huge and the repercussions and benefits will be felt across the entire food and value chain.
As a second step, there should be an increase in the cost of petrol/ diesel from Rs 70/Rs 60 to Rs 200 per liter in Delhi and the National Capital Region. Also, the cost of metro/bus travel must also be at least tripled. Cash must be used to offer 50 per cent subsidy for electric vehicles.
But how long do you think will it take the local population to adopt electric vehiclesIJ A case in point is the Chinese e-rickshaws: In one year, we see them all over the country! The Chinese rickshaw costs about Rs 1.10 lakh. Fully loaded, and charged overnight they run for the whole day — charging with solar power at six rupees per unit — it is nirvana!
Innovation and adoption of localised technologies, where entrepreneurs bring in low cost e-vehicles will only be a matter of 60 days. The Government has already notified the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles policy.
There are many manufacturers in the country who have been ready with their e-vehicles for a very long time now and for them to bring in the products to market will take less than 30 days. We have been severely neglecting the environment and we will pay for our mistakes — everyone does.
(The writer is Vice Chancellor, Rama University, Kanpur)