Climate Parliament pushes renewable energy agenda in Karnataka

BANGALORE: D K Shivakumar, energy minister said that the state wants to tap the true potential of solar and other forms of renewable energy as the energy deficit in state stares at a staggering 14%. Fortunately Karnataka was one among the states to successfully launch a new solar policy.
He said this during a meeting with the group of MLAs at the Climate Parliament Core Group Meeting on Monday.“DISCOMs in the state still owe several crores to Karnataka Po KPCL. Further the state government provides free power to farmers, and nearly 37% of the power is given to the agriculture sector. Lastly, lending rates are much higher here as compared to countries in the other parts of the world in renewable energy projects,” he said.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, chairperson, Climate Parliament Karnataka Group and minister of food and civil supplies said that the state has a current installed capacity of about 14 GW and estimated potential of 30,000 MW. He further added that the new solar energy policy is a welcome move and the state should also come out with new renewable energy policy soon. He highlighted that the previous renewable energy policy released in 2009 included several provisions that have not yet been adequately implemented, in particular the single window clearance mechanism and the Green energy fund.
He also emphasized on the importance of an energy committee in the state, mentioning that energy is an important factor in the development of a state and legislators can provide a significant contribution in shaping energy policies and plans.
Climate Parliament is a global network of legislators working to accelerate and promote sustainable development through renewable energy. The network has been active in Karnataka for the last one year and has about 25 multi party legislators. The meeting was also attended by British Deputy High Commissioner, Ian Felton, and experts from Centre for Study of Science Technology and Policy (CSTEP) and SELCO.