Interviews

The government has favourably prioritized the renewable energy industry, keeping in view India´s generation potential

As far as CSP is concerned, we have the proposals for the two pilot projects of 50 MW each. The Asian Development Bank (ADB), is likely to fund these projects. So at present, these are the only two CSP projects in the pipeline with us.

Our motto is ´do not panic´. This is not the first time that we have experienced such a situation. In 2009, when the barrel fell to $35, we chose to continue our strategy, to continue to hire and to give the company future prospects.

There are some exciting critical developments in wind turbine technology that are very relevant in Indian conditions. The first is installing a wind turbine that is designed to suit India´s low wind speed conditions.

Central Electricity Authority (CEA), government of India, has identified and listed many power plants for performance optimisation and R&M programs to be carried out in the 12th Five-Year Plan. Now it the decision of respective State gencos to issue tender either for comprehensive R&M or need-based R&M.

The power transmission sector can no longer be viewed from the prism of generation but as an independent sector with a two-fold objective-setting up bulk transmission lines and improving the national grid.

Tidal power has an enormous potential and I am convinced that that tidal power is soon to experience a breakthrough. To give an example: In 2017 Minesto will start the construction of a 10 MW array near the Holyhead Island in Wales, which eventually will supply electricity to approximately 8,000 households. Add to that the Welsh waters hold a potential of several 1,000´s of MW. But Wales is not the only place.

We are predominantly witnessing two major technical trends in the DG sets sector which generally attracts customer demand - fuel efficiency and emission controls. Today we have products compliant to CPCB II norms and even Euro IV standards.

In the meeting, we have put forth our various concerns right from evacuation infrastructure, how to bring down the cost of power generation, rationalise the cost for distribution infrastructure to lowering the tariffs for industrial units in Maharashtra.