The Philippines hopes to attract $9-10 billion in investments in renewable energy projects over the next 10 years as a law giving investors fiscal incentives takes effect next month, a top official said on Monday.

"Our objective is to double the power being generated from renewable energy sources, from 4,500 MW to 9,000 MW in 10 years," Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes told a news briefing.

The definition of renewable energy seems clear cut: The sun continues to shine, so solar energy is renewable. The wind continues to blow, so wind turbines churn out renewable power.

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Power will invest over Rs 12,000 crore for executing 2,520-MW hydro power projects in Arunachal Pradesh, to be commissioned in the next Five Year Plan (2012-17).

"Reliance Power has signed an agreement with the Arunachal Pradesh government for developing 2,520 MW of hydro power projects in the state," a Reliance Power spokesperson said.

President Zillur Rahman yesterday said Bhutan could export hydropower to Bangladesh to help mitigate the current power crunch here as the Himalayan country hold a huge potential for producing about 30,000-megawatt hydroelectricity. He stated this when the newly appointed Bhutanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dasho Bap Kesang, presented his credentials to the President at Bangabhaban.

The State Government has sanctioned 14.5 lakh new electricity connections in the past three years, according to an official spokesperson.

At least seven Assembly constituencies have achieved the target of total electrification.

Eighty more constituencies are aiming to achieve the target, which is under various stages of implementation.

The West Bengal Government has approached the Centre with a proposal to set up a hydroelectric power project in Bhutan under the Indo-Bhutan bilateral framework. The proposal, if approved, will allow West Bengal to use Bhutan as an offshore generation hub.

The Irrigation and Water Management Ministry in collaboration with the Power and Energy Ministry will construct a large scale hydro electricity plant in Wellawaya to generate 300 GWH. This plant will be able to generate power and add 300 GWH to the National Grid, the Irrigation and Water Management Ministry said.

President Asif Ali Zardari and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai held a meeting with the World Bank president on Friday and agreed to facilitate electricity trade between Central and South Asian regions.

Many old buildings including places of worship in the old Maskeliya town emerged arousing the nostalgic memories when the water level in the Hydropower reservoirs dwindled due to the prevailing drought in the upcountry. Maussakele, Castlereigh, and Maskeliya hydropower reservoirs are the worst affected.