Press release - May 9, 2005
BHUBANESHWAR, India — Greenpeace today hailed the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (OERC) recent order directing GRIDCO and other electricity distribution licensees and trading companies in the state to compulsorily purchase 200 million units of power from Renewable Energy (RE) sources for the financial year 2006-2007. This Order is in response to a Public Interest Petition filed by Greenpeace India to consider introducing a regulation which ensures a procurement of 10 percent of power from Renewable Energy Sources like Wind, Solar, Biomass, Tidal, micro-hydel.
"Given that the state currently has only one million units
generated from Renewable Energy Sources, an addition of 200 Million
units by 2007 is a considerable green-leap", said K Srinivas, Clean
Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace India. "A legal framework and a
market has been created, now Orissa Renewable Energy Development
Authority (OREDA) needs to take the initiative to implement
Renewable Energy projects in the state by proactively ensuring
right atmosphere for investments".
Greenpeace estimates that to generate 200 Million Units of
Renewable Energy, the state can choose to set up a combination of a
50 MW wind power, a 20 MW of small hydro and a 30 MW of Biogas
plant for instance. This would involve an investment of around Rs.
125 Crores. Which in turn translates into reduction of 225 tonnes
of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission into the atmosphere per year in
Orissa alone. In economic terms, for every unit of Green power, Rs.
5.50 of external cost of generation, which is the cost incurred in
relation to health and environmental effects is saved. Which means
for 200 Million units of green power, the cost saved is Rs. 1100
Million. Besides, addition of 200 Million units of Green power will
creates 500 RE jobs (approximately 6 jobs for every 1.5 MW of
additional power)
"This year Greenpeace launched a global program to enable a
shift from our present dependence on filthy fossil-fuels to
cleaner, greener and sustainable power practices in a bid to
mitigate the threat to our environment due to global warming", said
Shailendra Yashwant , Campaigns Director, Greenpeace India " In
India we have chosen to focus on launching a Clean Energy
revolution by creation of friendly investment and market
opportunities for promotion of Renewable energy. A demand for 200
million units is certainly a small first step in this endeavour. We
invite the RE industry to take the next step and ensure that the
supply is met."
As a follow-up to the Order, Greenpeace would be meeting with
officials of OREDA, Government Authorities and other Agencies to
urge their cooperation to ensure the implementation of the Order by
helping in the creation of a suitable climate for Renewable energy
uptake in the state.
For more information:
K. Srinivas, Climate and Energy Campaigner,Greenpeace India.
Mobile:+91-98451-12130: Email: