Energy is a key input for sustenance and growth. Green sources of energy are those which are relatively free from the emissions of Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. Kashmir is not self sufficient in fossil fuels. Moreover globally also the fossil fuels are increasingly becoming scarce. This calls for the efficient utilization and conservation of fossil fuels. In addition to this, the locally available renewable and green sources of energy have to be harnessed and utilized for various end-uses. Besides, large scale unemployment and under-employment is a common feature of a remote region like Kashmir valley.
J&K lacks the industrial infra structure to absorb all technical human resources trained by its various technical institutions. Energy conservation and renewable energy utilization hold tremendous potential of employment generation and entrepreneurship for human resources trained in almost all streams of engineering, technology, sciences and humanities. In fact several self employment opportunities in renewable energy sector for modestly trained, self trained or even untrained human resources also exist.
Quite a few non banking financial institutions have been developed in the country for promotion of Energy Conservation (EC) and Renewable Energy (RE) projects. Indian Renewable Energy Development agency (IREDA) was established under Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources (MNRE) to promote Renewable Energy Technologies. IREDA extends financial support to manufacturers and users, acts as financial intermediary, assists in rapid commercialization of Renewable Energy Technologies, promotes energy efficiency and provides consultancy. Besides IREDA, there are several public-sector, cooperative and private banks which promote EC and RE projects. Jammu & Kashmir bank may also take initiatives in supporting small, decentralized and green energy projects in the state.
As per the EC Act 2001, it is mandatory for all notified designated energy consumers viz., power development and distribution companies, cement industry, aluminum industry, steel industry etc. to get energy audit conducted by an accredited Energy Auditor and to appoint Energy Managers. Any post graduate, graduate or diploma engineer and post graduate in science can sit for National Certification Examination being conducted annually for Energy Auditor/Energy Manager by National Productivity Council under the aegis of Bureau of Energy Efficiency. Accreditation is awarded by successfully clearing the exam and acquiring the requisite work experience.
Un-employed engineers of the valley can form Energy Service Companies or ESCOs to provide integrated (technical and financial) energy services to its customers mainly large energy users and utilities on a turnkey basis. ESCO’s work starts where auditor’s work ends. As a matter of fact, there are several firms which are registered both as energy auditors as well as ESCOs. ESCO concept is relatively at a nascent stage in India. Still there are more than 30 ESCOs operational in India, although with limited geographical reach. ESCOs can look to IREDA and Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) for support and partnership.
For budding entrepreneurs of state, the options of generating Power through Renewable Energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, energy from urban/industrial wastes, small, mini and micro hydel etc. is available. Central financial assistance linked to capacity is offered for such projects. A developer can set a project up to a maximum capacity of 5 MW in the country. The proposal for generation of power from municipal and urban waste is offered in public private partnership mode. The scheme is open to municipal corporations, industries and private entrepreneurs. It is however to be noted that concrete policy regarding options of wheeling, third party sale or selling power to grid (buy back arrangement) is not being formulated in Kashmir so far. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy being managed by our former Chief minister, hope is kindled that concrete policies will be formed for the promotion of renewable energy in the state.
The concept of energy conscious buildings is relevant for architects, civil, mechanical and illumination engineers, builders and township developers. Recently National Rating System for buildings has been developed incorporating Energy Conservation Building Codes- ECBC 2007, other Indian Standard Codes and local by-laws. This is aimed at promotion of large scale design and construction of solar buildings, solar housing complexes, solar townships and solar cities. Bangalore based Biodiversity Conservation of India Limited (BCIL) is one of the pioneering green housing company in country. Civil engineers and architects of the valley may take cue from BCIL and follow the suit. In XIth plan there is a proposal to set up 60 (at least one in each state) solar cities throughout India. The main features of a solar city are that each house is to be built or retrofitted on solar passive concepts, is to be provided with solar water heaters, has renewable energy based power generation plants, harvests rainwater, resorts to wastewater recycling etc. Srinagar Municipal Corporation and JAKEDA may join hands in inviting and submitting master plan to the centre for developing Srinagar as solar city.
Entrepreneurs can also take up implementation of Village Energy Security Programme (VESP) in the state. Renewable Energy Technologies are deployed for electrification of remote villages and hamlets which are unlikely to be covered by grid extension programme. The objective of VESP is to provide energy security in villages by meeting energy needs of cooking, electricity and motive power through Renewable Energy Technologies. 90 % central financial assistance is available for VESP.
Small entrepreneurs especially women can set up district level Akshay urja shops for marketing and servicing solar products through financial assistance from IREDA. So far only one Akshay urja shop has been established in the state. While starting any enterprise in energy conservation and renewable energy utilization, one has the satisfaction of caring for Planet Earth at the same time earning one’s livelihood. Beginners may consult Solar Entrepreneur Handbook published by World Institute of Sustainable Development, Pune and Renewable Energy in India: Business Opportunities published by Winrock International India.
Author is senior lecturer Physics, NIT Srinagar
