India can tap 85,000 mw of renewable energy: Abdullah

Lack of modern and indigenous technology was hindering the desired growth to tap India's vast potential of generating 85,000 megawatt of unconventional and renewable energy to meet a large chunk of energy requirement.

This view was expressed here today by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah while a seminar on ''Opportunities and Scope of Renewable Energy'', addressing organised under the aegis of Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BNCCI).

Referring to the huge scope of developing alternative energy sources, particularly those from solar, wind and hydel power in the backdrop of fast dwindling deposit of fossil fuel like coal, Dr Abdullah said as the first step, the government had set a target of generating at least 22,000 MW of renewable energy by 2030. 

Accordingly, 1,000 MW of solar power would be generated by 2013 while attempts were also being made to tap wind power of about 100 MW in the Sunderbans delta by the same period, he said. 

Referring to several initiatives taken by his Ministry to reduce the use of coal and petroleum products like diesel and promote the use of solar power, Dr Abdullah said as a pilot project they had selected 100 of around 8,000 mobile towers across the country for converting these into solar powered installations.

Under the time-bound programme, all diesel-run gen sets in these 100 mobile tower would now have solar power panel, he said. 

''Moreover, steps are being taken to tap the huge source of wind energy in different parts of the country, including West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala and Jammu and Kashmir, to generate about 40,000 MW of wind power within few years,'' he said.

Referring to his plan for J and K, the former chief minister of that state said they had identified the Sallal valley for installation of a number of large wind mills to generate about 500 MW of power, particularly in the Leh and Ladakh region.

About the non-availability of latest technology in India to tap the right amount of solar power through better quality panel, Dr Abdullah urged the country's young mind to develop a suitable as well as affordable technology. 

Earlier, BNCCI President and noted industralist P K Ray underscored the need for a much greater use of renewable energy. 

He promised to extend all help from the Chambers as well as from the private sector industries to develop world class technology.