The study underlined the recent efforts by the Government in recognising the need for private participation and ensuring that policies to promote investments are being implemented. “Private participation in coal mining for captive use, in oil & gas exploration and in the power sector is already seeing significant progress. It is also expected that private participation in nuclear energy would be allowed as and when the Indo-US Nuclear deal goes through,” the study titled ‘India Energy Outlook 2007’ said.

The report also stated that energy transport infrastructure such as ports, railways, pipelines and power transmission networks need significant investments. By world standards, India’s current level of energy consumption is very low. For the year 2004-05, the total annual energy consumption for India is estimated at 572 mtoe (million tons oil equivalent) and the per capita consumption at 531 kgoe (kilograms oil equivalent), it said.

However, with a targeted GDP growth rate of over 8 per cent and an estimated energy elasticity of 0.80, the energy requirements of the country are expected to grow at over 6.4 per cent every year over the medium to long term. “This implies a four-fold increase in India’s energy requirement over the next 25 years, which is a significant challenge for the country,” KPMG said.

Arvind Mahajan, executive director, advisory and head energy, infrastructure and government, KPMG said, “The general theme of private participation and competition has advanced in the past one year with some concrete examples on the ground to substantiate it. Looking ahead, the Atomic Energy Act is expected to be modified shortly allowing private participation and anticipating this many large Indian and international players have started discussions for possible tie-ups,” he said.

“Along with private participation, there is a move to bring in market mechanisms in the energy sector under an independent regulatory oversight. A gradual approach is important till the supply side position improves and more players enter the sector so that markets can work effectively,” it said.

“The Government is seen as making efforts to broaden the supply base both internally and externally. It is intended to diversify the fuel basket by increasing shares of natural gas, hydro and even nuclear energy. At the same time, both Government and private sector companies are looking to acquire equity in energy assets abroad as seen in recent examples in the oil & gas and coal sectors,” it said.

Tariff reform in the energy sector and distribution reform in the power sector are two important steps that need to be successfully carried out. “Tariff reform to phase out subsidies or to target them effectively and distributin reforms to bring efficiency in the power sector are vital. Steps have been taken in this direction with mixed results. Going forward, this is an important area to manage,” it said.

Fuel for growth

• Energy demand to grow at over 6.4% pa

• Four-fold rise in energy demand in 25 yrs

• Pvt sector needed to bring in technology

• India’s energy consumption still very low

• Govt should diversify fuel basket