Renewable Energy
and
Demand Side Management
Gujarat Perspective
VIKSAT, Ahmedabad
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 – 15363 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).
http://www.vibrantgujarat.com/focus-areas/green-energy.aspx

50MW tidal power project to be constructed in the Gulf
of Kutch in the Indian State of Gujarat with Atlantis
Resources Corporation. http://www.renewable-energy-sources.com
Renewable Energy - Gujarat

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”.
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.
Bottlenecks

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.
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 – 380054
Phone – 079-26856220, Fax – 079-26852360
www.viksat.org, ranjit.mohanty@viksat.org