The Hindu : `Accord priority to tapping conventional energy sources'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 22, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Pondicherry

`Accord priority to tapping conventional energy sources'

By Our Staff Reporter

Pondicherry April 21. The Lt. Governor, Rajani Rai, has stressed the need for according priority to tapping conventional energy sources in the power development programmes as new technologies would reach commercial viability early.

Inauguating the Pondicherry chapter of the Solar Energy Society of India (SESI) here today, she said that plentiful renewable energy sources in the country added no net contributions to atmospheric carbon dioxide and no heat to the global environment.

Referring to the position in the Union Territory of Pondicherry she said that the District Rural Development Agency had been implementing renewable energy programmes. More than 1,55,000 litres per day capacity of solar water heating systems had been installed in hospitals and other estblishments. She also pointed out that 30,000 improved chulas, 200 solar lanterns and 64 solar street lighting systems had been installed at various locations.

The Lt Governor said that twenty solar home systems were installed at Navodaya Vidyalaya and in the Home for the Blind.The Union Territory Administration has proposed to instal community chulas in balwadis and anganwadis with a view to saving firewood and ensuring environmental protection.The Administration also installed one five kw solar wind hybrid system at Chunnambar island with tehnical support from the IT Power India makig it the first of such systems in the country as a whole.

V.Bakthavatsalam, president of the SESI and Managing Director of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) New delhi who presided said that the global energy scene was predominantly drive by environmental compulsions, employment and political considerations.The national energy scenario had different dimensions marked by energy requirements,environmental considerations and energy security.Based on these parametres the energy planning was being done in the country.

Asserting that solar energy was assuming crucial importance, he called upon the non-govermental organisations, government departments and agencies to make it a movement of the people and produce awareness among the people. The various implications of promoting solar energy included saving on the foreign exchange and also harnessing the source of energy most efficiently and effectively. If a level playing ground was guaranteed in economic and cost aspect solar energy would definitely develop and accelerate the economy .

The SESI was now engaged in information dissemination and creation of awareness to outreach its activities through the various centres and organisations.This was being done in collaboration with IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) through distance education programmes.The SESI would also bring out a publication on highlights of utility of the solar energy and also opportunities emerging in the horizon.

A trust would be started and it would function as a people`s trust and it would have everything about sun and would function as a unique set up.

G. Narendrakumar, secretary to department of Science and Technology Pondicherry,

C. L. Gupta Vice President of SESI and professor of Sri Aurobindo International Centre for Education, Binu Parthan, convenor of SESI and D.Selvi its Secretary also spoke.

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