SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT ALL-INDIA CONFERENCE OF DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEES FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, 17th December 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to participate in the All-India Conference of District Advisory Committees for Renewable Energy and, to release on this occasion the 'Akshay Urja' song which will contribute to spreading awareness about the use of new and renewable energy. I would like to congratulate Shri Vilas Muttemwar and his Ministry for producing this beautiful song and Shri Javed Akhtar and his team for the lyrics of the song.

Energy is the key input for the socio-economic development of any country and achieving energy security is an essential national objective. The current demand for energy is being met largely by fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas. It would be well to remember that it took thousands of years for the formation of fossil fuels inside the earth but these are being burnt by us at a very fast rate resulting in carbon emissions and ecological imbalances. There is also no escaping the fact that fossil fuels are limited in availability, and we need to explore alternative sources of energy.

Natural energy sources - solar, wind, biomass and hydro - are not only non-exhausting and renewable but are also cleaner sources of energy. Human kind has been using these energy sources since the origin of life. Our ancient scriptures speak of "Ekham Adityam" - the one sun as the source of inexhaustible energy. The tapping of these sources of energy for broader uses is based on technological innovations, which have taken place mainly in the last century. Time has come to multiply the use of renewable energy. This can happen if efficient and cost effective technologies are made available to popularize their use. We, in India are fortunate that we are blessed with plenty of renewable energy sources in all parts of the country throughout the year. We need to build on nature's bounty.

India has done a considerable amount of work in the development and production of renewable energy technologies. I am happy to know that a capacity of 13,000 MW, which is about 8 per cent of the total installed capacity in the country, has been achieved through renewable energy grid power. We must work systematically to enhance this proportion.

Government has launched the National Solar Mission to increase the share of solar energy in the total energy mix. We should focus on Research and Development efforts to enable the creation of more affordable, more convenient solar power systems, and to promote innovations that enable the storage of solar power for sustained, long-term use. In wind energy, India has the 4th largest installed capacity. Besides enormous potential, a short gestation period in installing wind turbines makes it an attractive option for India. The Ministry of Renewable Energy should reinforce its Research and Development efforts for renewable sources of energy whether they are solar, wind, hydro or tidal. Many countries have developed interesting models of renewable energy use. We should study them and work out technology collaboration arrangements with these countries. Partnerships which involve better and cost-effective technologies will result in the wider use of renewable energy. This in turn will contribute to lowering carbon emission levels and mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change. With the Nuclear Energy Group accepting nuclear civil co-operation with India, nuclear energy will be a promising option for our energy needs.

Seventy per cent of our population lives in villages, many of which are remotely located and still do not have access to electricity supplies. Access to energy will help increased productivity in the rural economy and create improved opportunities in rural areas. Energy generation through locally available renewable energy sources can be useful in decentralized generation and distribution of energy. Solar lighting systems with proper repair and maintenance services could also contribute to better living conditions. I am informed that millions of solar lighting systems have been promoted in rural and remote villages for illumination and other applications. I am also happy to know that over 4 million biogas plants have been set up in rural households for meeting cooking and lighting requirements, besides production of organic manure. By promoting biogas plants, the environment of rural kitchens and houses becomes cleaner and health hazards to women working in these kitchens are also reduced. Water mills also have immense potential for providing energy and creating entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in the Himalayan states.

Urbanization and industrialization is taking place at a fast pace and is resulting in a large quantity of urban and industrial waste being generated every day. This waste, if not properly treated and disposed, creates environmental problems and health hazards. "Waste to Energy" technologies need to be pursued for waste management in cities and in industries. If action is taken by every household to segregate bio-degradable wastes from other wastes, it would provide an environmentally sustainable and effective system of waste management. This can also open up possibilities of generation of power and good manure from urban and industrial wastes.

We must look at eco-friendly construction. All our commercial, industrial and large complexes should have green architecture. I am happy that TERI and the Ministry have established a rating system for green buildings called 'GRIHA'. All buildings, including government buildings, must try and achieve 3 or 4 star status.

Efficient use of energy, without wasting it, is the duty and responsibility of each individual. Waste today means less energy for tomorrow and proper use today will mean more for the future. All of us present here need to be fully committed to bring about efficient use of energy resources including renewable energy in all our activities at home, at work, in agriculture or in industry. It has to be taken up as a people's movement in all walks of life. Massive information and an awareness campaign is the need of the day to make renewable energy a part of our daily life.

I have started the 'Roshini' programme in Rashtrapati Bhavan to make it an eco-friendly estate. This initiative has waste management, energy efficiency and usage of new and renewable energy as essential components. Our effort is to create awareness and a sense of responsibility in each individual living in the President's Estate, in keeping the environs clean.

The setting up of District Advisory Committees for Renewable Energy in each district, consisting of district officials, NGOs and public representatives including six women members in the Committees is a useful step in implementing the agenda of using renewable sources of energy with the involvement of stakeholders. I am told that these Committees have been helpful since their formation in creating publicity and awareness, planning and review of schemes at the district level. All members of the District Advisory Committees should make all efforts to carry ahead the renewable energy movement to the grass roots level in the country and gear up to face the new energy challenges ahead.

We have been fortunate to have had a political leadership committed to cleaner sources of energy. Our late Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi, created a separate Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources in 1982 to work towards the utilization of the immense potential of renewable energy in the country. I congratulate the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for initiatives in the direction of moving India forward in renewable energy usage and encourage it to continue with its efforts.

I wish the Conference all success.

Thank you.

Jai Hind