Saturday, September 17 2005 16:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kochi: In an effort to popularise renewable energy movement in India, a conference here suggested that accreditation should be granted to those higher learning institutions which derive at least 30 per cent of their power requirement from renewable sources.

While renewing the accreditation, UGC, CSIR, ICAR and AICTE, should also ensure that these institutions develop working renewable energy infrastructure contributing to energy production, Dr P Radhakrishna, Director, Ministry of Non-conventional Energy sources, Chennai, said addressing a one-day conference on 'Role of Stakeholders in Popularization of Renewable Energy Options- action based approach' this morning.

It has also been suggested that renewable energy curriculum be made a part of the syllabus at every level of higher education.

"If this exercise, is coupled with energy conservation activity, approximately 650 MW of power can come from renewable, exclusively from the aided/unaided institutions leaving out Universities," he said.

S Girijathmajan, Director, ANERT, said ANERT along with KSEB would set up two wind farms of two MW each at Ramakkalmed in Idukki district next year at a total investment of Rs 21 crore. Sixteen wind farms spread over Idukki, Thiruvananthapuram and Palakaad districts will also be set up, he said adding there were also plans to have private partnership in these ventures.

Four Hydel projects and more mini-Hydel projects are also envisaged in the state, he said.