Energy is the prime source of all socio-economic activities of the human community. The demographic rate of growth globally and the widening spectrum of economic growth would result in demands of energy at an incremental rate of 7 to 8% annually. This can easily support a GDP growth of 8 to 9% per annum. Projections point toward a doubling of global energy demands in the decade starting 2020. There will be a marked shift in patterns of energy consumption whereby developing economies of the world would have a share exceeding two-third of global energy consumption by that period.

Fossil fuels’ consumption would remain the major source of energy generation and globally employed power generation technologies. The apportionment of renewable energy in the entire energy supply will continue to be marginal in the real sense. The contribution of renewable energy-excepting hydel energy and conventional biomass-as a proportion of global energy output is pegged at a paltry 2%. This scenario in all likelihood is not going to be altered therefore, guaranteeing the possibility of nudging the renewable contribution up to 5% by 2020. The global sources of fossil fuel will have become dearer due to their depletion thereby, making the viability of fossil fuel plants restoring parity with the renewable sources. 60% of the cumulated energy needs world-wide would be met through renewable sources.

Growing economies, especially of Asia are gifted with sufficient resource base and non-conventional energy technologies are consistent both for grid linked energy generation and transmission in out of the way locales that are islanded from the grid. Adaptation of technology and employing them should be pursued right from this moment to have a head-start, be informed of the barriers in technology applications of the renewable variety and synergising them with the existing, traditional power production technology and T&D networks. It is known that in coming times, wind energy will be the most cost-effective renewable resource. Yet, it is doubtful if any individual technology would hold centre-stage.

It was in the 1970s that the real potential and role of renewable energy sources was sensed and identified in India for sustainable energy growths. During the past quarter of a century, a significant thrust has been given to the development, trial and induction of a variety of renewable energy technologies for use in different sectors. The activities cover all major renewable energy sources, such as biogas, biomass, solar energy, wind energy, small hydro power and other emerging technologies.

India has presently among the world’s plentiful agenda on renewable energy. in the 8th Plan, vis-à-vis a proposal of 600 MW generation, close to 1050 MW of power generating capacity fastened to renewable energy sources was added. About 1500 MW of the total grid capacity in the country, is now based on renewable energy sources. India is rated fourth in the world with a wind power capacity of 1000-1100 MW. Small hydel power generation, which is especially ideal for remote, hilly regions, presently not exploited but holds a potential of 500 MW in today’s scenario. India has an extensive cane sugar production and we are implementing the world’s biggest bagasse based cogeneration programme in agglomeration with sugar mills. There is substantial leverage as regards to deducing energy from urban and industrial wastes. The National Programmes lays special emphasis on supplying energy to rural areas. Close to 2.75 million biogas plants and over 28 million upgraded wood-stoves are also in use in the country.

In the sphere of solar energy use, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies are gaining immediate reception for a host of industrial and commercial applications, as well as in Non Electrified and Rural Zones (NERZ). The country has the world’s largest assemblage of solar photovoltaics, consisting of about 500,000 PV systems totaling to 39 MW, and encompassing over 30 variegated operations.

There is an added emphasis on venturing into grid quality power generation programmes oriented on solar thermal and solar photovoltaic technologies. A 140 MW Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) Power Project is being accorded conclusive shape to be established at Mathania near Jodhpur in Rajasthan. This will be the first of its kind, and the largest such project in the world.

To give a fillip to power generation from renewable energy, State Governments and utilities provide remunerative power purchase agreements and arrangements for wheeling, banking and buy back of power. 12 States have so far announced policies for non-conventional energy based power generation. The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), the corporate financing arm of the Ministry, is the only Agency of its kind in the world dedicated to financing of renewable energy projects. Interest rates vary from 0% to 16%, with special rates being offered for projects.

There is an impending need to make much more forays to make Non Conventional energy attain popular acclaim. This is also very essential to preserve the conventional sources of energy and explore viable alternatives like solar, wind and biomass that can enhance sustainable growth. What is more, such alternatives are environment friendly and easily replenishable. Therefore, they need to be thoroughly exploited with a functionally expedient, energy matrix mix.

A revolutionary step would be the advent of renewable energy co-operatives for power vending, installation and servicing of renewable energy systems in pockets like NERZs. With a view to take a long-term perspective, and to actualise the entire scope of Non-Conventional energy sources, it is incumbent to draw up a capacious Renewable Energy Policy involving all players in the field, together with the active participation of consumers as well

In the Ninth Plan (1997-02), the accent is on according commercialisation and development of entrepreneurship in all Renewable and Non Conventional Energy Schemes and Plans. An extra power generating capacity from Renewable and Non Conventional Energy sources of about 1500 MW is envisaged. The immediate challenge is to reconcile the reduced budgetary allocations in the 9th Plan due to fiscal control. The Ministry of Non Conventional Energy has stated objective of propping up 24,000 MW from Renewable and Non Conventional Energy by the year 2012.

The need is however to have adequate policy framework to be in place with an aim to provide impetus through streamlining the structure of Renewable and Non Conventional Energy. The high potential is what should spur maximum efforts. The bottlenecks is that although there are good plans, we often fall short in measuring up to meet the desired levels of optimisation of our potential. If there is a strict regiment by which Renewable and Non Conventional Energy Sources are utilised, India is sure to have adequate measure of success. The Numero Uno position in Renewable and Non Conventional Energy is well within reach with a little bit of concerted effort.