Accelerated Depreciation, an important driver of growth for Indian wind energy sector, was modified in April this year, forcing strong reactions from the industry. Along with this, the ambiguity on generation based scheme (GBI) has created confusion among independent power producers (IPPs). There is fear that the rapid advance in wind sector made till last year may suffer a big setback at least in the short run due to these two moves. However, the long term perspective is still healthy.

Yvo de Boer was the Executive Secretary of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during the tumultuous Copenhagen Summit in 2009. In 2010 he joined KPMG as global adviser on climate and sustainability. Recently he was in India, and in conversation with Keshav Chaturvedi, he discussed the issue of renewable energy and its importance as a climate change mitigation measure.

The land of rugged beauty has been suffering from the maladies of modern life accentuated by heavy use of fossil fuel especially diesel. However, in last two years, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has initiated an ambitious project to save the region from the clutches of fossil fuel.

Small hydro power is witnessing a curious case of opposing perceptions. While the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) thinks there is no need to revise the price estimates set three years ago, the independent power producers feel the pinch of escalating costs and squeezing margins.

Everyday, with unfailing measure, they line up our city streets, hoping to make the quick dash, only to be sucked into smog, emissions and never ending traffic woes. Lined up as though in a factory assemly

Emerging changes in the environmental scenario have compelled governments across the world to look for alternatives that help reduce carbon emissions and keep climate change under tabs. In India too, plans are on to harness power from solar energy, via concentrated solar power.

Generating renewable energy may be easier than deploying it. Planners and utility managers in India face various challenges in their attempts to integrate renewable energy with the existing grid.