Contunuing
with the nationwide campaign to create awareness among media persons
regarding renewable energy, WISE organised the fifth training
programme on 2-3 June, 2006, in Chennai, sponsored by the Ministry
of Non-Conventional
Energy Sources (MNES), Govt. of India.
Mr. Subramanian, Secretary, MNES, who inaugurated the programme
said that the media should report matters relating to renewable
energy in a positive manner and remove prejudices regarding the
sector. He said that there is sufficient scope for decentralised
power generation and this could be useful during peak hours. He
also sought to dispel fears regarding the high cost of electricity
drawn from renewable energy sources by saying that once the volume
increases, the prices would come down.
Mr.
Ramesh Kymal, Managing Director, NEG Micon (I) Pvt. Ltd., who
chaired the inaugural session said that the government's policies
are skewed towards conventional energy which is the biggest polluter
in the country today. Hence the media as opinion leaders should
strongly advocate the benefits of using renewable energy. Mr.
A. Elangovan, Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Energy
Development Agency who chaired the valedictory session lauded
WISE's efforts in spreading the renewable energy message among
the masses. He also urged MNES to look into prospects of developing
geothermal energy in the country.
The
speakers at the two day programme included Dr Bibek Bandyopadhyay,
Adviser and Head, Solar Energy Centre, MNES; Mr T Rajachidambaram,
Director, Dr Ambedkar Institute of Productivity, Chennai; and
Dr C L Gupta, Professor of Applied Science, Solar Energy Unit,
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry. The topics discussed related
to biomass power, solar photovoltaics, biofuels, fuel cells and
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). A field visit to the NEG Micon
factory in Chennai was also undertaken. The participants representing
various media organisations gave a very positive feedback regarding
the training programme as they felt that it would help them in
understanding the renewable energy sector in a better manner.
