Renewable Energy and Demand Side Management VIKSAT, Ahmedabad Gujarat Perspective

About VIKSAT Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai founded Nehru Foundation for Development – NFD (1966) and VIKSAT is one among them. We believe that goals of sustainability in NRM can be achieved through decisive participation of the communities – The primary stakeholders. Currently working in almost 150 villages in northern and eastern Gujarat covering 5 districts. With strong focus on nurturing peoples’ institutions we have 467 SHGs – 6105 members 336 Pani Samitis – 2708 members 96 Tree Growers Co-operative Society – members 37 Farmers’ Clubs – 407 members Part of NEAC with 487 NGOs as partners.

Renewable Energy - Gujarat Highly industrialised and energy is the key to growth story. Most of the industries are clustered in coastal belts. Easy access to energy. Gujarat has vast potential in RE. Solar and Wind in particular. 300 days of clear sun Investments potential worth Rs. 65,000cr are expected– capacity augmentation to happen in wind (4,000 MW), biomass (1,000 MW) and solar (716 MW) MW tidal power project to be constructed in the Gulf of Kutch in the Indian State of Gujarat with Atlantis Resources Corporation.

Primarily private sector driven. Very less public sector involvement. More entrepreneurs coming in for investment. Less focus on R&D by the entrepreneurs. Remains at policy level. Most of the technologies are imported. However the Solar Power Policy of 2009 has promotion of R&D and facilitation of technology transfer as a major objective. However the policy document is silent on consumer participation or awareness in any form except “Creation of environmental consciousness among citizens”. Renewable Energy - Gujarat

Interventions by CSOs With Climate Change being central focus, focus on renewable energy has also increased. CSOs are increasingly focusing on alternative sources of energy or energy efficiency. Some of the major interventions are lifting of water through pump sets run on wind and solar power. Wind energy has major potential in salt pan area to lift water from deep wells. Solar pumps are used by agencies for drinking water supply from wells. Solar lights is another area where majority of the CSOs have started interventions.

Bottlenecks Although a major number of CSOs are involved in RE area, it is still very minimal and hard to make a successful case. The issues is related to lack of capacity and focus. Working on RE is still a fringe area and not the core focus. Forums and networks of like minded CSOs help in bringing clarity. No such network or forum exists. Effective institutional mechanisms like resource agencies to help CSOs is lacking. In case of resource agencies, interface between agencies and consumers lacks. Similar to agriculture universities.

Costing, pricing and subsidy mechanism of the renewable energy needs to be deliberated. Comparative pricing analysis of conventional energy and renewable energy. Enhancing energy efficiency, enhancing capacity of storage – investment in R&D. Skilled human resource. Need to create a cadre of skilled human resource. Bottlenecks

Relevance of the project Provides a platform for CSOs to interact and involve in the area of RE and DSM Builds capacity of the stakeholders. Awareness among CSOs necessary to impact the policy making. Brings energy security and renewable energy to the core area of intervention from fringe. Advocate for better costing, pricing and subsidy mechanism with the policy makers. Information sharing being key. Enhance representation of CSOs in utilisation of RE and finalising pricing of the energy to be consumed.

Thank you Contact Details Ranjit Kumar Mohanty VIKSAT Nehru Foundation for Development Thaltej Tekra, Thaltej, Ahmedabada – Phone – , Fax –