Use renewable sources of energy, says Abdullah

MUMBAI, INDIA: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah Wednesday called for making extensive use of renewable sources of energy to reduce the country's dependence on conventional sources.

Speaking at the commissioning of the 40 kwp (kilowatts-peak) solar power project at Raj Bhavan, Abdullah said that making use of solar power and wind power will help reduce the country's dependence on conventional sources of fuel such as coal, petroleum and gas.

He also pointed out that the nation of the size of India cannot do without nuclear power.

Under the Raj Bhavan Solar Power project, some of the important buildings in the Raj Bhavan complex have been powered by the solar energy.

Abdullah said the nation is spending large amount of money on importing coal, petrol, diesel and gas from various countries. "India is blessed with lots of sunlight and clean air. We must make use of God's energy for the betterment of God's people," he said.

The central government is exploring the possibility of generating power from the sea-wind, he said.

Lamenting the poor maintenance of solar power equipments in the country, Abdullah expressed the need to involve the youths in maintaining solar power systems.

Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, who presided over the event, said the energy security and water security are two of the major challenges before the nation.

Minister of State for Non-Conventional energy D.P. Sawant, Director General of Maharashtra Energy Development Agency Anand Limaye and Maharashtra's Minister for Excise and Non-Conventional Energy Ganesh Naik were also present on the occasion.

Limaye, in his presentation, said that Maharashtra had installed capacity of 4,387 MW of grid connected renewable energy projects till February 2013.