 "No takers for politically harmless energy software")
The ministries of coal, power and renewable energy, now under a single minister, have not adopted it even after several rounds of induction; nor has that of petroleum and natural gas. The tool was to be used to design sustainable energy policies.
Officials close to the development said the prime reason for ignoring it was the change of guard at the Centre, which has led to inter-ministerial uncertainty and questions raised on the very existence of the Planning Commission.
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“This fact could be validated by several requests of the Planning Commission pending with the ministry of power for giving presentations on the tool and its adoption,” said a senior official.
The tool was developed by a group of young technocrats hired by the Planning Commission last year. It is an open source for researchers, planners or policy makers to look into possible energy scenarios. It was launched with much fanfare in February, during the earlier government.
It was touted as a useful tool for several ministries, including those of defence, external affairs and environment, apart from the energy departments. the idea was to forecast the effect on prices, demand and supply, import-export and government expenditure while designing a policy.
“It was developed by a group of youngsters with no political allegiance. Still, it’s embroiled in political tiff, inter-ministerial dispute and lack of political will,” said a research analyst.
The software, online and open for all, is based on 2050 Pathways, a British energy model. It helps in understanding how energy can be made affordable, sustainable and less import-dependent.
Requesting anonymity, Planning Commission officials said there was still no point-person in the newly empanelled ministries for application of the tool. “We have given several round of presentations to all the departments concerned but haven’t received a positive response from any of them,” said an official.
Members of the energy team, part of the job of designing the tool, refused to comment, pointing to the absence of any head of the Planning Commission.
A REAL LACK OF ENERGY
- India Energy Planning Tool 2052 helps in design of policies with sustainable energy solutions
- Team of eight young technocrats developed the tool
- Draft prepared and inducted into departments concerned since November 2013
- Officially launched in February this year
- Ministries of oil & natural gas, coal, power, renewable energy and environment the main beneficiaries.
- No adoption or positive feedback on the tool yet