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The next frontier is solar power, says West Bengal Power Minister at CII Energy Conclave
Aug 12, 2015

KOLKATA, August 12: With the cost of import of coals for producing thermal power increasing, the next frontier is solar power, according to Mr Manish Gupta, the West Bengal Minister for Power and Non-Conventional Energy Sources.

“Shortage of coal is going to get acuter. In 30-40 years’ time, India will see import of coal rising, and the country will not be able to set up new thermal power plants,” he said at the inaugural session of the CII Energy Conclave 2015 here today.

Almost 61 percent of the power is generated from coal, according to a CII-PwC study titled Changing Rules of Indian Power Sector: Empowering the Economy which was launched by the Minister today.

That explains why the West Bengal government is strongly backing solar power, Mr Gupta said, adding that the cost of solar power is steadily coming down.

“Our target is to generate at least 100 MW of power from rooftop solar panels in the next 2-3 years,” he said, adding that the State Government, as a matter of principle, has rejected nuclear power.

Mr Gupta stressed the need for larger investments in R&D to devise technologies for efficient grid parities. “That will go a long way in addressing power needs,” he said.

“Coming together of the Government, the industry and the academia is the key. “No Government can claim to be repertoire of all knowledge. So, we must join hands, work in tandem and help each other,” he said.

The Minister also said support has been sought under the centre’s green energy initiative. The National Clean Energy Fund was set up by the Centre with an objective of provide investments in entrepreneurial ventures and promote research in the field of clean energy technologies.

Mr Reji Kumar Pillai, President & CEO, India Smart Grid Forum, said the blueprint of the National Smart Grid Mission has been prepared. “The Prime Minister (Mr Narendra Modi) will launch the Mission very soon. The Mission seeks to create a roadmap for adopting top-notch technologies by striking a balance between what is going to happen in the world and what is going happen in India,” he said.

Mr Rabindra Nath Sen, Chairperson, West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC), laid emphasis on efficiency in generation, distribution and transformation. “These are the things which will ensure quality power for consumers,” Mr Sen said.

Mr Narayan Swaroop Nigam, Chairman & Managing Director, West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company (WBSEDCL), explained how hard the State Government is trying to power to every household in the State. By June 2016, it is going to be one hundred percent, he said.

Mr Aniruddha Basu, Chairman, CII Energy Task Force & Managing Director, CESC, explained the context saying that the theme of the Energy Conclave Transforming the Energy Sector through Policy, Regulation and Technology is line with CII’s vision of creating an enabling eco-system for the vastly untapped power sector.

Mr M K Gupta, Co-Chairman, CII Energy Task Force & Managing Director, Gupta Power Pvt. Ltd, delivered the vote of thanks.

Later, Mr Yogesh Daruka, Partner - PwC, made a presentation on the CII-PwC report.

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