State has high renewable energy potential: expert

The preparation of the action plan,which has taken around 22 months also incorporates suggestions and recommendations of officials and personnel from key departments and public sector utilities of the Government of Maharashtra.

Pillai said the development of wind farms could enhance tourism in the state,as has happened in the case of Satara in Maharashtra,where large number of tourists flock to view the picturesque wind farms. He concluded his speech saying that key departments in the state including the state nodal agency,energy and transport departments needed to undergo capacity building.

“20 years from now,it would be difficult to sustain coal-based projects as these resources are getting scarce. With 35 per cent of the coal under reserve forests in India,the coal crisis is only set to worsen. On the other hand,it is heartening to see that clean energy is growing at the rate of 30-40 per cent every year,leaving IT sector behind. A host of initiatives announced by the government which includes the National Action Plan for Climate Change (which incorporates eight missions including the much publicised National Solar Mission),the setting up of a Clean Energy Fund,and the Finance Commission’s announcement of a Rs 50,000 crore incentive scheme to promote clean energy would definitely propel the sector forward,” he said.

Anand Limaye stressed on the key challenges faced by the renewable energy sector in Maharashtra. “Fortunately,with state rich in renewable energy sources,all the problems could be dealt with appropriately,” he said.