SUSTAINED RURAL ENERGY PLANNING A KEY FACTOR: PRADYUT

Guwahati, September 9, 2006

Sustained Rural Energy planning by utilizing renewal energy sources is a key factor to provide constant electricity supply to rural areas as well as urban areas, said Pradyut Bordoloi, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Power in a convention organized by Institute of Engineers, Assam State center in city today.

He also said that there is no denying of critical situation of power in the state. 8000 villages in Assam are to be electrified and we have not able to utilized and harness non- renewal and renewal sources of power in a proper manner. Out of total power generation in country only 6% comes from renewal energy sources.

He urged that after discussing for two days on the strategies for optimal utilization of Natural Resources, provide a roadmap and identify different strategies and technologies for the better use of natural resources of this area so as to harness our resources in efficient manner. Electricity has now become a commodity. West Bengal and Orrisa are selling their surplus electricity to other states.

B. Khuresia, who presided over the inaugural function, said that the best way to save energy by pooling all sources of energy and by using renewal energy sources viz. Wind Energy, Small Hydro Power Projects, Biogas etc. We have to shift our dependence on primary energy to the clean, safe and sustainable renewal energy sources, he said.

The two day convention is being organized to provide platform to various stakeholders to deliberate on the theme Energy Technology- Strategies for Optimal Utilization of Natural Resources and relevant topics.

During the convention two eminent Mechanical Engineers viz Er. J K Talukdar, Director (HR & BD), Oil India ltd, and Prof. S C Bhattacharya, Special Advisor, International Energy Initiative, Kolkata, were felicitated for their outstanding and commendable services.

PP/