India: 3 regions named with large geothermal potential
Alexander Richter
20 Feb 2009
Immense geothermal energy potential has been detected at three places, Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, as stated by Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Vilas Muttemwar.
Based on many discussions with various people, it seems like one has to be careful with overly optimistic potential figures for India, but I thought this article might be worth posting.
The article mentions the “immense geothermal potential at Ladakh, Chhattisgarh and Manali”, and goes on to talk about “private parties that have also displayed interest for the exploitation of geothermal energy for commercial use and necessary steps been initiated in that direction, the Minister said during Question Hour.”
He said, presently, the country is producing 13,700 MW of power roughly through renewable energy sources which is about nine per cent of total installed power capacity. The contribution of solar energy sector is placed at 9,500 MW. Tamilnadu is the highest beneficiary of the renewable energy sources in the country.
He said 25,000 remote villages in the country will be electrified with the help of renewable energy since these villages could not get the power supply through grid connections. These villages will be electrified under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran programme.
He said the Government has taken several measures for the promotion and proper use of renewable energy systems/devices in the country which include fiscal and financial incentives, such as capital/interest subsidy, accelerated depreciation and concessional excise and customs duties.
Mr Muttemwar said the government was also offering preferential tariff for grid interactive renewable power in most potential states. Directives have been issued under electricity Act 2003 to all states for fixing a minimum percentage for purchase of power from renewable energy sources.
It was also providing support for sector specific seminars, workshops and training programmes. Extensive publicity was being given to create awareness on the use of renewable energy systems and devices through print and electronic media. special events like the Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas and constitution of district level advisory committees in the States were also undertaken to facilitate effective coordination of renewable energy schemes programmes.”
Unfortunately the author doesn’t go into geothermal much further in the article.
Source: newKerala.com
