Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources

Points to be discussed:

• Need for MNES (Why?)

• Its journey till date (When?)
• What does MNES stand for (What?)
• How does it work (How?)
• Its field (Where?)
• Its achievements
 Need for MNES (Why?):

• The 1973 oil crisis

• OAPEC’s decision:
a) Stoppage of oil exports to allies of Israel (i.e US and

Western world)
b) Hike in price of petroleum (oil price quadrupled)

• Results of the crisis:

a) Inflation
b) Recession in the economy (NYSE lost $97 billion in
value in six weeks).
 Need for MNES (Contd):

c) Unemployment (e.g. Schools and offices in the U.S

often closed down to save on heating oil; and factories
cut production and laid off workers.

Note: Japan fared particularly well in the aftermath of the

world energy crisis of the 1970s because of its
energy efficient cars, usage of community transit
facilities and huge involvement in less energy
intensive electronics industry.
 Need for MNES (Contd):

• Crisis ended in March 1974 after negotiations at the

Washington Oil Summit, but the effects of the energy
crisis lingered on throughout the 1970s.
 Need for MNES (Contd):

• Oil crisis made nations think of:

a) Energy conservation
b) Technology development and efficiency
improvement
c) Fuel diversification
d) Fuel supplier diversification
e) Renewable energy sources and technologies
 Need for MNES (Contd):
• Search for alternatives:
a) The energy crisis led to greater interest in renewable
energy, especially wood fuel and spurred research in
solar power and wind power. It also led to greater
pressure to exploit North American oil sources, and
increased the West's dependence on coal and nuclear
power.

b) In US in 1977 a cabinet-level Department of Energy was

created, which led to the creation of the United States'
Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The National Energy Act
of 1978 was also largely a response to this crisis.
 Need for MNES (Contd):
• In India:
Government of India recognized the enormous potential of
Renewable Energy for national development and created
the following organizations:
a) Commission for Additional Sources of Energy (CASE) in
1981.
b) Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources
(DNES) in 1982.
c) Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) in
1992.
d) Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES)
renamed as Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
(MNRE) in 2006.
 MNES’s field of work:

• The mandate of the Ministry covers the entire

renewable energy sector, namely Solar, Wind,
Hydro, Biomass, Geothermal and Tidal Energy
sources, as detailed below:
• Solar Energy-Solar Thermal and Solar
Photovoltaics, including photovoltaic devices
and their development, production and
applications.
• Small/Mini/Micro Hydel- All matters relating to
Small/Mini/Micro Hydel Projects upto 25 MW
capacity.
• Wind Energy - Wind Farms, Wind Pumps and
Wind Battery chargers.
 MNES’s field of work (Contd):
• Biomass Energy – Combustion, Gasification and Co-
generation.
• Energy from Urban & Industrial Wastes.
• Alternative Fuel for Surface Transportation.
• Hydrogen Energy and
Chemical Sources of Energy/Fuel Cells.
• Biogas- Research & development of Biogas and
programmes relating to Biogas units/plants.
• Improved Chulhas - Programme relating to Improved
Chulhas and related research & development
• IREP- Integrated Rural Energy Programme.
• Research & Development of other non-
conventional/renewable sources of energy and
programmes relating thereof, including:
 MNES’s field of work (Contd):

• Geothermal Energy- Research & Development and

utilization of Geothermal Energy..
• Tidal Energy - Research & Development and utilization
of Tidal Energy.
• IREDA- Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency.
• CASE - Commission for Additional Sources of Energy.
 The functions of the Ministry:

• Policy making & planning.

• Programme formulation and implementation.

• R&D, technology development and commercialization.

• Promotion of demonstration, pilot projects and extension

programmes.

• Encourage creation of industrial and manufacturing

capacity.

• Providing fiscal and financial incentives.

 The functions of the Ministry (Contd):

• Human resource development.

• Intellectual property right (IPR) protection.

• International co-operation.

• Promotion of consultancy services.

• Promotion & co-ordination.

 CASE: Commission for Additional Sources of Energy

• The Government of India set up a Commission for Additional

Sources of Energy (CASE) through Resolution no. 64/1/1/80- Cab.
Dated March 12, 1981. The mandate and composition of CASE are:

Mandate:
• Formulating policies and programmes for development of new and
renewable energy.
• Coordinating Research & Development activities in new and
renewable energy sector.
• Ensuring implementation of Government's policies in regard to all
matters concerning new and renewable energy sector.
• Preparing budget of the Commission.
• Clearing proposals.
 CASE: Commission for Additional Sources of
Energy (Contd):

Composition of CASE:
• Chairman - Secretary, MNES.
• Members - Secretaries of Planning Commission,
Ministries/Departments of Science & Technology, Power,
Environment & Forests, Rural Development and
Expenditure.
• Secretary -Joint Secretary, MNES.
 Renewable Energy Programme:
Group Programme

•Biogas
•Improved Chulha (Cook-stove)
Rural Energy
•Integrated Rural Energy Programme
•Special Area Demonstration Programme
•Animal Energy
Solar Energy
•Solar Photovoltaics
•Solar Water Pumping
•Wind Pumping / Hybrid Systems
•Solar Thermal
•Solar Cookers
•Solar Energy Center

Power Generation
•Small Hydro Power
•Wind Power Generation
•Biomass Combustion/ Cogeneration Power
•Biomass Gasifiers
•Solar Power

Energy from Urban & Industrial

Wastes •Energy from Urban & Industrial Wastes
 Renewable Energy Programme (Contd):
New Technologies
•Chemical Sources of Energy
•Hydrogen Energy
•Geothermal Energy
•Alternative Fuel for Surface Transportation
•Tidal Energy

Planning, R&D,Technology
Information Forecasting, •Non-Conventional Energy Technology Commercialization Fund NETCOF
Assessment and Databank •Technology Information Forecasting, Assessment and Databank
•Planning & Coordination
•International Co-operation
•Seminars and Symposia
•Research & Development Co-ordination

Information and Public

Awareness •Information & Public Awareness
POWER GENERATION PROGRAMMES AT A
GLANCE:
 Wind Power Programme:

• There is an estimated Gross Potential of 45,000 MW.

• Considerable progress has been made in harnessing the

large wind power potential available in the country.

• Supporting this effort is the world’s largest wind resource

assessment programme.

• New initiatives have been taken in re-assessment and

expansion of the wind resource base.

• Centre for Wind Energy Technology has been

established.

• Large private sector corporations, public sector units and

power utilities are being motivated to set up wind power
projects.
 Wind Power Programme
(Contd):
• India now has the 5th largest wind power installed
capacity in the world which has reached 3595 MW.

• 90% of the total installed capacity has come through

commercial projects.

• About 11.8 billion units of electricity have been fed to

various State grids from Wind power projects.
 Small Hydro Power (Contd):

• Small Hydro Power Programme is one of the thrust

areas of power generation from renewable in the
Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources. It has
been recognized that small hydro power projects can
play a critical role in improving the over all energy
scenario of the country and in-particular for remote and
inaccessible areas. The Ministry is encouraging
development of small hydro projects in the State sector
as well as through private sector participation.

• The estimated potential of Small Hydro Power is about

15,000 MW in the Country.
 Small Hydro Power (Contd):
• 420 small hydropower projects up to 25MW station
capacity with an aggregate capacity of over 1423 MW
have been set up in the country and over 187 projects in
this range with aggregate capacity of 521 MW are under
construction. 4,096 potential sites with an aggregate
capacity of 10,071 MW for projects up to 25 MW
capacity have been identified.

• The other activities under the programme includes

renovation and modernization of SHP projects, setting
up of portable micro hydel sets, development/Up
gradation of water mills, and implementation of
UNDP/GEF Hilly Hydro project.
 Biomass Power/Cogeneration Programme:
• India is the largest producer of cane sugar and the
Ministry is implementing the world’s largest co-
generation programme in the sugar mills.
• There exists an established potential of 3,500 MW of
power generation through bagasse based co-generation
in sugar mills.
• Biomass power generation from surplus agricultural
residues is also being actively promoted.
• A capacity of 537 MW has so far been commissioned
and 536 MW is under installation
 Biomass Power/Cogeneration Programme
(Contd):
• Notable initiatives for acceleration of the Biomass Power
generation programme include:
• Finalization of demonstration projects in cooperative
sector sugar mills.
• Proposal for a US $ 65 million UNDP/GEF Biomass
Power Programme.
• New programme on advanced biomass gasification for
development and application of advanced technologies,
such as, Biomass Integrated Gasification-cum-Gas
Turbine Combined Cycle technology.
 Biomass Gasifiers
and other Biomass Energy Programme:
• In the area of small scale biomass gasification,
significant technology development work has made India
a world leader.Biomass gasifiers capable of producing
power from a few KW upto 1 MW capacity have been
successfully developed indigenously.

• Biomass Gasifiers are now being exported not only to

developing countries of Asia and Latin America, but also
to Europe and USA.

• A large number of installations for providing power to

small scale industries and for electrification of a village or
group of villages have been undertaken.
 Biomass Gasifiers
and other Biomass Energy Programme
(Contd):
• A total capacity of 55.105 MW has so far been installed,
mainly for stand-alone applications.

• A 500 KW biomass gasifier installation on Gosaba Island

in Sunderbans area of West Bengal is being successfully
run on a commercial basis to provide electricity to the
inhabitants of the Island through a local grid.

• A 4X250 kW (1.00 MW) Biomass Gasifier based project

has recently been commissioned at Khtrichera, Tripura
for village electrification.
 Solar Power Programme:
• Under the Solar Power Programme grid quality power
generation based on solar thermal and solar photovoltaic
technologies is being supported.

• India receives solar energy equivalent to over 5000 trillion

KWhr/year, which is far more than the total energy consumption
of the country. The daily average solar energy incident over
India varies from 4 -7 KWhr/m2 depending upon the location.

• A 140 MW Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) Power

Project is being given final shape for setting up at Mathania
near Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

• The Mathania ISCC Project will be the first of its kind, and
among the largest such projects in the world.
 Solar Power Programme (Contd):

• The Ministry is also providing support to grid interactive

solar photovoltaic projects for voltage support at the tail-
ends of rural grids, for peak shaving / demand side
management in urban centres and for diesel saving in
islands/remote locations.

• Grid interactive solar photovoltaic power projects

aggregating to 2490 KW have so far been installed and
another projects of 800 KW capacity are under
installation.
 Solar Power Programme (Contd):

• India receives solar energy equivalent to over 5000

trillion KWhr/year, which is far more than the total energy
consumption of the country. The daily average solar
energy incident over India varies from 4 -7 KWhr/m2
depending upon the location.
 Solar Thermal Programme (Contd):

• Promotion of Solar Thermal Technologies through soft

loan programme .

• Solar Cooker programme for market development and

commercialization of solar cooking devices.

• Solar Buildings programme for training & education,

awareness creation and also for providing assistance for
design and construction of solar buildings.

• Regional Test Centres and Technical Back-up units for

solar thermal devices and systems.
 Solar Thermal Programme (Contd):

• Research & Development programme for development

of new and emerging technologies and improvement of
available technologies.

• Establishment of Aditya Solar Shops in major cities &

towns of the country for on the spot sale of renewable
energy products, servicing and information
dissemination.
 Solar Photovoltaic Programme:
• A country wide Solar Photovoltaic Programme is being
implemented by the Ministry for about last two decades.
The Programme is aimed at developing the cost effective
PV technology and its applications for large scale
diffusion in different sectors, specially in rural and remote
areas. Major components of PV programme include,
R&D, Demonstration and Utilization, Testing &
Standardization, Industrial and Promotional activities.
The following PV systems are covered under the
programmes of MNES:

• Solar Street Lighting Systems, Solar Lanterns, Home

Lighting Systems/Solar Home Systems;

• Stand-alone PV Power Plants;

• Solar PV water pumping systems for agriculture and

related uses;
 Rural Energy Programmes at a Glance:

• The biogas development programme started in 1981-

82 (family and community type biogas plant).

• The Community and Institutional Biogas Plants

Programme was initiated in 1982-83 and later on in
1993-94.

• The National Programme on Improved Chulha (NPIC)

was started in 1986-87.
 Rural Energy Programmes at a Glance:

• The Integrated Rural Energy Programme (IREP)

 New Technology Programmes at a Glance:

• Chemical Sources of Energy Programme

• Hydrogen Energy
• Alternative Fuel For Surface Transportation
programme
• Geothermal Energy
• Tidal Energy
• National Programme on Energy Recovery from
Urban and Industrial wastes
• UNDP/GEF project on ‘Development of High Rate
Bio-methanation Processes.
Information and Public Awareness Programme:

• Publicity through Electronic Media

• Publicity through Print & Postal Media

• Publicity through Exhibitions and Outdoor Media

 Policies to attract investors:

• Accelerated depreciation for tax purposes

• No excise duty
• Low import tariffs
• Soft loans
• Tax holidays
• Remunerative price under alternate power
purchase policy by State Government for the
power generated through renewable energy
systems, fed to the grid by private sector.
• Facility for Banking and wheeling of power.
 Policies to attract investors (Contd):

• Facility for Third party sale of renewable energy power.

• Financial Incentives/Subsidies for devices with high initial
cost.
• Involvement of women not only as beneficiaries but also
for their active contribution in implementation of
renewable energy programmes.
• Encouragement to NGOs and small entrepreneurs.
• Special thrust for renewable energy in North-Eastern
region of the country. 10% of Plan funds earmarked for
North-East towards enhanced and special subsidies.
 Policies to attract investors (Contd):

• Industrial clearance is not required for setting-up of

renewable energy industry.

• No clearance is required from Central Electricity

Authority for power generation projects upto Rs. 100
crores (Rs. 1000 million).

• The proposals for up to 74% foreign equity participation

in a joint venture qualifies for automatic approval.
 Policies to attract RET users:

• Soft loans
• Interest subsidy
• Capital subsidy
• Accelerated depreciation benefits
 R&D Policy:

• The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources has

been supporting R&D for technology and manpower
development in Renewable Energy. Present emphasis is
on reduction in cost and increase in efficiency. For
sustained development of this sector, efforts are being
made so that Renewable Energy is driven to a large
extent by the market and the consumer.
 Renewable Energy Potential in India:
Sl. No. Sources/Technologies Units * Approximate
Potential
A. Power Generation Potential
1. Wind Power MW 45,000
2. Small Hydro Power ( upto 25 MW) MW 15,000
3. Biomass Power MW 16,000
4. Biomass based Co-generation MW 3,500
5. Urban & Industrial Waste based power MW 2700
6. Solar Photovoltaic Power MW/sq. km. 20

7. Solar Thermal Power MW/sq. km. 35

8. Geothermal Power MW 2,000

9. Tidal Power MW 9,000
10. Ocean Thermal Power MW 50,000
11. Sea Wave Power MW 20,000

•B. Thermal Applications

12. Solar Thermal System MW/sq. km. 35
Solar Water Heating Systems (Million sq. m. 140
collector area)

13. Biogas Plants Million 12

14. Improved Biomass Chulha (Cook-stoves ) Million 120
15 Solar Insolation on India Trillion KWhr/ 5000
year
(equivalent)

*MW -Mega Watt, KW -Kilo Watt, sq. km.- square kilometer, m.-meter.
 Achievements:
Cumulative Physical Achievements
@ India'sPosition in the
Source/Technologies Units * World
Up to
31.3.2005

•Power Generation
Wind Power MW 3,595 V
Small Hydro Power MW 1,705 X
( UPTO 25 MW)

Biomass based Power MW 749.53 IV

Biomass Gasifiers MW 66.23 I

Solar Photovoltaics Power MW 264 V
Energy Recovery from Urban & Industrial MW 41.98
Wastes

• Thermal Applications

Biogas Plants Number in Million 3.71 II

CBP/IBP/NBP**(31-3-03) Number 3950

Improved Biomass Chulha (Cookstoves) (31-3- Number in Million 35.2 II
03)
Solar Water Heating Systems Million Sq. Meter 1.0
Collector area
Box Solar Cookers I
Schefler/Dish type Concentrating Solar Cookers Number in Million 0.575
Solar Steam Cooking Systems
• Water Pumping
Wind Pumps Number 1,015

Solar PV Pumps Number 6,818

•• Solar Lighting Systems

Solar Street Lighting Systems Number 54,795

Home Lighting Systems Number in Million 0.342

Solar Lanterns Number in Million 0.56

• Other Applications

Integrated Rural Energy Programme Distt. 257

Energy Parks Number 357

Hybrid Systems KW 385.70
Solar Photovoltaic Power (Stand alone kWp 930.70
Aditya Solar Shops Number 81
Battery Operated Vehicles Number 287
Village Electrification No. of villages 2,538

* MW - Mega Watt, KW - Kilo Watt, Sq. Meter - Square Meter, kWp = Kilo Watt Peak
**CBP/IBP/NBP ---Community/Institutional/Night Soil Based Biogas Plants.
@ Being firmed up
Queries?