Bihar Energy Minister Bijendra Yadav on Wednesday said renewable energy is a need for sustainable development in view of global warming posing a big challenge worldwide.
"Non-conventional energy or renewable energy is a need. It is a must for sustainable life and survival of human beings," Yadav said in his address at a conference on renewable energy here.
Referring to the global warming as increasing threat, Yadav said thrust would be given to promote renewable energy.
"At present nearly 90 per cent electricity is generated by thermal power stations, it is a challenge how to reduce it and shift to renewable energy."
Yadav said that renewable energy has a major role to play in ensuring a sustainable supply of electricity to all.
"We are aiming for 24X7 power for all and believe that renewable energy sources like solar power can play a critical role in that. That is why our government came up with a renewable energy policy last year which is all-inclusive and covers all the major thrust areas related to renewable energy and its application," he said.
"The state government will announce the implementation guidelines for the mini-grid sector as well as solar rooftop sector as these are the key priority areas of the government. The concerned departments are working towards framing guidelines, which will be announced for public feedback," Yadav added.
R. Lakshamanan, Director Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency, said: "In order to reap the benefits of the policy, there is a need to put together effective guidelines for the timely achievement of the government's ambitious target.
"We need to address the impediments in the way of making Bihar an energy secure state. We intend to bring about sizeable improvement in providing energy access through Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) systems in agricultural, industrial, commercial and domestic sectors."
Rampati Kumar, CEO, Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED), said key thrust areas have been identified under the policy that includes solar rooftop and mini-grids.
"There is a need for guidelines to ensure the policy's effective implementation. In the absence of these guidelines, not many projects are being realized on the ground.
"We urge the Bihar government to speed up the process of framing implementation guidelines which can galvanize the rural economy as well as address the growing energy demand in urban areas," Kumar said.
Delhi-based CEED, in partnership with the Bihar Industries Association (BIA) and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, organized the conference.
--IANS
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