Govt's role emphasised at energy meet

A conference, Synergy With Energy, the third National Conference on Indian Energy Sector kickstarted in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Organised by Jaynarayan Vyas, chairman of Saket Projects Ltd, it saw discussions on topics like the 'Indian Energy Scenario and Role of Electrical Energy', 'Key Regulatory and Fiscal Parameters in the Indian Oil and Gas Sector', 'Innovative Approaches for Improving Energy Efficiency of SMES', 'Setting up Ultra Mega Power Plants - Challenges & Opportunities' among others.

G Subba Rao, chairman of Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC), the chief guest of the inaugural function addressing the participants stressed on the need of a more active role government in the development of the sector.

Citing the example of China, he said, "China has many energy-related operations overseas, be it hydro power project, ultra mega power project or any other energy-related project. China is growing in the sector because there is an active role of its government behind the success. Their projects gets the necessary push from their government. I don't sees the required push here."

Day one saw speakers like G Subba Rao, chairman of Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC), Bakul Dholakia, director of Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A), R Parthasarathy, director of Gujarat Institute of Development Research (GIDR) as well as S Padmanabhan, senior energy and environment advisor, USAID.

Other speakers included Vipul Shah, faculty of Centre for Environment and Planning Technology (CEPT) and Sanjay Gupta, director of Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone Ltd "" Adani Ltd as well as MP Surendra Patel.

S Padmanabhan of USAID speaking on the need for energy efficiency for the future growth of the sector, said the energy efficiency (EE) trends in India is now being seen as a strategic solution to address national security, climate changes and fiscal deficit.

However, there is a need to upgrade the old notions of EE to add the newest trends in it. He added that Indian corporates have also started institutionalising the EE and the public use of energy represents a major opportunity in the sector.

However, the best results can only be achieved when public policy mechanisms are teamed with business policies. Sanjay Gupta of Mundra Port spoke on the need for better government policies to encourage more ultra mega power projects of private players.

However, private players are beginning to show interest in the UMPPs. However, there are many barriers which need to be addressed at the government policy level.

In his talk on how India could take advantage of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) for tremendous earning capabilities, U V Krishna Mohan Rao, Chief Executive, U V Krishna Mohan Rao Associates said, "Presently India makes up 32.41 per cent of CDM projects sanctioned in the world as compared to second in line, Brazil at 17 per cent or China which is at a distant 7 per cent. However, in terms of revenue from these projects, China leads with 41.09 per cent share in the world followed by Brazil with 14 per cent and India lagging behind at 13.85 per cent."