Renewable Energy Policy Karnataka Draft

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RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY - KARNATAKA DRAFT: Submitted by KREDL Preamble Climate change represents one of the humanity’s greatest challenges. To counteract global warming and guarantee economic growth and prosperity in future, energy must be generated and utilized in an environmentally and climate friendly way. Compared to fossil fuels, renewable energies have the advantage that they are practically in-exhaustible and generate no emissions. In this context, to facilitate the development of renewable energy sources in the state, Government of Karnataka established Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) on 8 th March 1996, registered under the company’s act 1956. Mandate of KREDL is to undertake development of renewable energy through private/public sector and community participation under the umbrella of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India. As per recommendations of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Government of Karnataka nominated KREDL as designated agency for implementation of Energy Efficiency in the state. Further KREDL is also nodal agency for implementing the CDM projects in the state. Karnataka is endowed with Renewable Energy potential like wind, hydro, solar, tidal, geothermal energy resources etc. Innovations in wind turbine and micro-siting technologies have resulted in accelerated wind farms establishment. There is increasing social acceptance of various solar gadgets with a potential of substantial 1

Transcript of Renewable Energy Policy Karnataka Draft

RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY - KARNATAKADRAFT: Submitted by KREDL

Preamble

Climate change represents one of the humanity’sgreatest challenges. To counteract global warmingand guarantee economic growth and prosperity infuture, energy must be generated and utilized in anenvironmentally and climate friendly way. Comparedto fossil fuels, renewable energies have theadvantage that they are practically in-exhaustibleand generate no emissions. In this context, tofacilitate the development of renewable energysources in the state, Government of Karnatakaestablished Karnataka Renewable Energy DevelopmentLimited (KREDL) on 8th March 1996, registered underthe company’s act 1956. Mandate of KREDL is toundertake development of renewable energy throughprivate/public sector and community participationunder the umbrella of the Ministry of New &Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India. Asper recommendations of Bureau of Energy Efficiency(BEE), Government of Karnataka nominated KREDL asdesignated agency for implementation of EnergyEfficiency in the state. Further KREDL is alsonodal agency for implementing the CDM projects inthe state. Karnataka is endowed with Renewable Energypotential like wind, hydro, solar, tidal,geothermal energy resources etc. Innovations inwind turbine and micro-siting technologies haveresulted in accelerated wind farms establishment.There is increasing social acceptance of varioussolar gadgets with a potential of substantial

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conventional power savings. Innovations in Solarphotovoltaic and thermal technology have made itfeasible to harness grid and off grid solar powergeneration projects a reality. Scientificprocessing & treatment of municipal waste entailspower generation besides environmental benefits.The Bio-degradable Agro residue and waste (Biomass)offer de-centralized power generation potentialcoupled with opportunity of realizing organicfertilizer. Co-generation technology by the sugar,paper, fertilizer, chemical, textile, steel, cementindustry etc, offers scope for power generation.The utilization of RE sources for the generation ofenergy results in "zero-carbon emissions", REprojects have a tremendous potential of generatingcarbon credits.

The development and harnessing of the RE sourceshelp to fulfill the vision of our former President,Dr P J Abdul Kalam, to attain energy security by2030. The International Energy Agency (IEA) hasurged the Governments in the world to take urgentaction to promote renewable energy sources whilestressing that nearly 50 % of the electricity usedglobally must come from renewable energy sources by2050.

The achievement of Karnataka in the renewableenergy sector by September 2008 is as below:

SlNo.

RE Source PotentialMW

AchievementMW

1 Wind 13230 1120.685

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2 Smallhydro

3000 416.090

3 Cogeneration

1500 339.900

4 Biomass 950 81.000Total 18680 1957.675

Considering Karnataka’s economic and industrialgrowth of achieving leadership in knowledge/hi-techmanufacturing sectors, as well as agro processingindustry, the per capita electricity consumption isexpected to increase substantially (1000 kWh by2012 and by 2000 kWh 2018). The RE sector plays asignificant role in supplementing the efforts tomeet this demand.

In the above background it has become necessary toformulate a Renewable Energy policy to encourage,support, guide and regulate the renewable energysources to harness the inexhaustible naturalresources and conserve the fossil fuels.

RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY

1.Aims and Objectives

To create conditions conducive to private/public/community participation and investment inRenewable Energy power projects in the state. Inparticular,

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1.To harness the environment friendly RE sourcesand to enhance their contribution to the socio-economic development.

2.To meet and supplement rural energy needsthrough sustainable RE projects.

3.To provide decentralized energy supply toagriculture, industry, commercial and householdsector.

4.To supplement efforts in bridging the gapbetween demand and supply of power, withrenewable energy sources and strengthening thegrid system and evacuation arrangements for REprojects.

5.To support efforts for developing,demonstrating and commercializing new andemerging technologies in the RE sector, and tothis end, help establish linkages with nationaland international institutions for activecollaboration.

6.To create public awareness and involveusers/local community along with capacitybuilding in establishing, operating andmanaging RE projects.

7.To establish dedicated renewable energy“Special Economic Zones” (SEZ) to promoterenewable energy projects.

8.To initiate necessary measures in energyconservation as per the guidelines of Bureau ofEnergy Efficiency (BEE), Government of India.

9.To create direct and indirect employmentopportunities especially in rural and backwardareas.

2. Renewable energy / Green power options

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The Green Power options for Karnataka are asfollows:

1.Wind power projects. 2.Mini, Micro and Small Hydropower projects (up

to 25 MW).3.Co-generation in sugar industries.4.Biomass and biogas projects by utilizing

agriculture residues and animal waste. 5.Solar photovoltaic power generation, Solar

Thermal power generation, solar hybrid systemsand solar applications in domestic andindustrial sector.

6.Municipal solid waste, Industrial liquid/solidwaste power projects and Bio-fuels.

7.Tidal wave energy.8.Geo-thermal energy.9.Other renewable energy sources not spelt

above, viz: synthetic fuels, Heat recoverysystems in various industries.

3. Target for renewable energy (2012 & 2018)

1.Wind Power capacity from the current installedcapacity of 1120.685 MW to 3500 MW by 2012(contributing about 8260 M.U./year) and 7500 MWby 2018 (contributing about 17700 M.U. /year)

2.Mini and Small Hydro capacity from the currentinstalled capacity of 416.09 MW, is targeted at900 MW by 2012 (contributing 2754 M.U./year)and 1500 MW by 2018 (contributing 4590 M.U./year)

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3.Cogeneration in sugar industries from thecurrent capacity level of 339.90 MW is targetedat 450 MW by 2012 (contributing about 2363 MU)and 700 MW (contributing about 3675 MU) by2018.

4.Biomass (including Waste to Energy) fromcurrent capacity level of 81.00 MW is targetedas 400 MW by 2012 (contributing about 2452 M.U)and 1000 MW (contributing about 6130 M.U.) by2018.

5.Grid connected solar PV and off Grid solar PVand thermal power plants are targeted at 200 MWby 2012 (about 290 MU) and at 1000 MW by 2018(about 1450 MU).

6.It is estimated that from the above targets,additional capacity of 3392 MW by 2012 willbring an investment of Rs 22,341/- crores, andadditional capacity of 6050 MW by 2018 Rs46,250/- crores, at current prices. Theinvestment is mainly through privateentrepreneurs and developers.

4. Strategies for growth of green power

(A) Wind Energy

1.Wind power harnessing is area specific. Wind isthe fastest-growing clean energy sector of therenewables. Much of the technology for windpower already exists. Advanced technologieslike “Floating wind power plants” will beexplored in the west coast.

2.There is a potential of about 13000 MW for thedevelopment of wind power plants in the state.Wind potential areas in the state are

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Chitradurga, Gadag, Chikmaglur, Bellary,Davangere, Koppal, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Belgaumetc Districts.

3.Wind resource assessment (WRA) is the primaryrequirement for wind power development. In thisdirection wind resource assessment study is anon-going activity of the state Govt (KREDL) incollaboration with C-WET (GOI).

4.About 220 wind monitoring stations arenecessary for the macro level assessment ofwind resources. About 72 wind monitoringstations have already been established, and itis proposed to establish another 110 stationsduring 11th plan, and 182 stations during 12thplan period.

5.The wind turbine generators manufacturers(WTGs) / Developers resorting to wind resourceassessment studies at micro level, and theyhave obligation to share the data withKREDL/MNRE.

6.To complement the wind potential areas,transmission network strengthening isidentified as a key area for wind energyprojects.

7.Wind Power Project are mostly located in remotebackward hilly areas, they contribute towardsrural development of such areas apart fromemployment generation to local people.

8.Issues related to the growth of wind energy inthe state will be addressed by giving allnecessary facilitation by establishingnecessary “Single Window Clearance” systemincluding land issues.

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(B) Mini/Small Hydro

1.There is a potential of about 3000 MW for thedevelopment of small/mini/micro hydel plants inthe State.

2.Small Hydro potential is site specific andcould be river/stream based, canal based,reservoir based etc.

3.The state Govt is committed to exploitMini/small hydro potential through the private/public/community participation.

4.Issues relating to growth of hydro energy willbe addressed by giving necessary facilitationand establishing “Single Window Clearance”system including land issues.

(C) Co-generation

1.Karnataka has 53 sugar factories generatingabout 2 lakh tones of bagasse per day.

2. this bagasse is sufficient to generate about1500 MW of power by using medium/high pressureboilers and TG sets.

3.Till date only 17 sugar factories havecommissioned cogeneration plants with aninstalled capacity of 339 MW.

4.There is scope for the remaining 36 sugarfactories to set up cogeneration plants.

5.Cogeneration helps captive generation and alsoaugments the state grid.

6.They also create employment both direct and indirect to the rural people.

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7.Tariff related issues will be considered andaddressed to facilitate the growth ofcogeneration plants.

(D) Biomass/Biogas

1.There is adequate availability of agriculturalresidues (10.5 mill ha agricultural land, 66.5lakh tone) as well as animal waste (from 14million cattles (1.4 lakhs ton of cattle dung)for establishing biomass and biogas plants.

2.As per the study report of IISC on theavailability of surplus biomass, 950 MW ofpower can be generated.

3.Field proven technologies are available, whichensure high reliability/efficiency regardingBiomass Power Plants.

4.Production of Organic fertilizers will beencouraged from the by-product in abiomass/biogas plants to benefit the farmers tosustain the agricultural productivity.

5.Necessary facilitation would be given toestablish sustainable biomass supply chain toencourage the commercial operation of Biomassand Biogas power plants involving local bodiesand farmers.

6.Tariff related issues will be considered andaddressed to facilitate the growth of Biomassand Biogas power plants.

7.They also create employment both direct and indirect to the rural people.

(E) Urban, municipal and industrial

liquid/solid waste

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1.As per the National Master plan for developmentof waste to energy in India, Karnatakagenerates about 7100 metric tons per day (MTD)of solid municipal waste in 28 cities/towns,offering a potential to develop about 137 MW ofpower in the state.

2.Power generation through sewerage treatmentplants is envisaged in collaboration withBWSSB.

3.Introducing scientific processing & treatmentof this quantity of waste entails powergeneration besides environmental benefits.

4.The process of setting up MSW based powerplants in Bangalore through Bio-methenizationand incineration technologies is underprogress.

5. Projects with the city corporations likeBangalore, Mysore, Shimoga, Mangalore, Bellary,Hubli-Dharwad, Davanagere, Belgaum, Gulbargaetc will be encouraged.

(F) Solar

1.Solar is fast-growing clean energy sector ofrenewables, technological innovations aretaking place to make it cost effective.

2.Karnataka is blessed with solar energy, solarinsolation available for more than 300 days ina year.

3.Presently solar technology is cost intensive.With necessary incentive from MNRE, GOI andtariff fixation by KERC the solar powerprojects are likely to be viable.

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4.Grid connected solar photovoltaic and solarthermal power generation of 1 MW and abovecapacities will be considered as priorityprojects.

5.Northern Districts of the state like Gulbarga,Raichur, Bidar, Bijapur, Bellary, Bagalkot,Koppal, Belgaum, Gadag, Chitradurga etc arewell suited to harness solar potential on MWscale.

6.For villages/habitations where gridconnectivity not feasible or not costeffective, off-grid solutions based on stand-alone isolated lighting systems/ technologieslike solar photovoltaic/solar wind hybridsystems may be taken up for supply ofelectricity. Gram Panchayats and local bodieswill be involved in implementation of theseplans.

7.Solar steam generating systems at institutionsand industries will be encouraged.

8.All Domestic, Public and Institutionalbuildings will adopt solar technologies. Solarpassive building technology will be encouraged.

9.Solar water heaters, solar lighting systems,solar hoardings etc will be encouraged toconserve electricity in peak hours.

10. Solar cities will be developed in the state.Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation and MysoreMunicipal Corporation have been consideredinitially for developing as solar cities, asper MNRE scheme.

(G). Tidal energy

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1.Karnataka is blessed with 300 Km of coastalbelt covering 3 districts.

2. The development of tidal wave energy will tobe harnessed. 3. Technology demonstrations from lab scale R&Dto field level will be encouraged. 4. KREDL will give necessary facilitation and co-operation for establishing a prototypedemonstration project to produce energy fromtidal wave.

(H). Geothermal energy

1.Geo thermal energy potential will be exploredin the state.

2.Geothermal energy to be harnessed withnecessary R&D assessment.

( I ). Biomass Briquetting

1.Briquetting is a new technology in which alltypes of low density agriculture waste,forestry waste and industrial waste isconverted into high density solid cylindricalshape blocks using very high mechanicalpressure without the help of any chemical orbinder, product is called briquette / Bio-coal / Pellet or white coal.

2.The briquette raw material may also comprise ofbagasse, rice husk, dried cow dung cakesegregated organic municipal waste and or anyother agriculture waste material.

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3.Briquettes are eco-friendly, renewable innature, non polluting and economical. Hencebiomass briquette-stove for cooking will beencouraged.

4.Briquettes are ready substitute of lignite /coal /wood in industrial boilers and brickkilns for thermal application.

5.Briquetting plant is an industry which protectsnature by reducing pollution. It also avoidsthe misuse of agriculture waste and helpfarmers to get supplementary income.

6.Government will encourage manufacture ofbriquettes with various types of agriculturalwaste to protect the farmer’s interest, and tofacilitate its use in various applications andgenerate rural employment.

(J) Bio fuels

1.The available potential of non edible oil inthe state is about 5 lakh tons. (about 10 MMTin the country).

2.Only about 10 to 15% of this potential isreportedly utilized for different applicationsof which bio-diesel is significant.

3.MNRE considered non edible bio oils aspotential energy source for meeting the variousenergy requirements like lighting, agriculturaloperations of community energy needs that arenot connected to the main grid.

4.Remote, inaccessible, far flung and forestfringe villages could be energized through theuse of non-edible oils. Bio fuel pilotdemonstration projects that were initiated by

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KREDL during earlier years will be continued toassess the viability and evolve appropriate biofuel raw material supply chains and KREDL willprovide necessary facilitation.

5. Incentives for RE projects

1.The various concession and incentives allowedby MNRE/GOI regarding DSI/DPR, GBI etc willipso-facto continue to be passed on by theState Government to the project developerthrough KREDL.

2.RE power procurement by distribution companieswill be at tariffs as determined by the KERC.

3.Government of Karnataka vide GO No EN 216 NCE2006 dated 2.3.2007 accorded approval for theupper limit of the share of renewable energy inthe total quantum of energy purchased by eachESCOMs enhanced to 20 %.

4.KERC in its notification No S/03/1 dated 23rd

January 2008 issued amendment to KERC (powerprocurement from renewable energy sources bydistribution licensee) Regulations 2004 fixingthe minimum renewable energy to be procured byeach distribution licensee between 7 to 10%.

5.Sale of electricity: On the electricitygenerated by the RE projects, the developerswill be encouraged to sell power to the stategrid on priority. Such purchases may be inwhole or part as per the rules and regulationsof KERC subject to the provisions of theElectricity Act 2003.

6.Wheeling and Banking of electricity: WithWheeling and Banking arrangements for REprojects, necessary co-operation and

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facilitation will be provided for executingPower purchase agreement (PPA) and evacuationclearance as per the Govt/KERC norms.

7.In case of Renewable Energy projects, ifGovernment land (belonging to urban localbodies/panchayat) is available, the requiredland for setting up RE projects will beprovided on lease basis as per rules andregulations of the Government, for a period of30 years, subject to further renewal asdetermined by the Government.

8.The state Government will exempt octrio andentry tax on the RE equipments for erectingcapacity sanctioned as per rules.

6. Single window project clearance mechanism

1.Setting up of RE projects involves sanctions/clearances from number of Governmentagencies/departments. The state Government willfacilitate and provide requisite clearancesthrough a “Single Window Clearance Mechanism”.

2.For this purpose a high level empoweredcommittee at Government level will beconstituted to accord necessaryapprovals/clearances.

3.Similarly “Single Window Clearance Mechanism”for execution of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)and for payment to the private entrepreneursfor the electricity sold to the Distributioncompanies will be considered.

7. Capacity Allotment of RE Projects

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1.Developers has to submit the details of REproject for capacity allotment in theprescribed application, after remittingapplication fees and processing fees to KREDLas fixed by the Government.

2.Allotment committee constituted by the stategovernment shall decide on the application ofcapacity allotment by considering variousaspects of the policy, as well as the variousgovernment orders issued from time to time, andcause to issue necessary Government Order.

3.The Allotment committee will be headed by thePrincipal Secretary, Energy Department,Government of Karnataka.

4.The Government of Karnataka reserves right toallot a RE project to a state enterprise.

5.Industrial units located in Karnataka andwilling to establish RE projects for theircaptive use will have priority.

6.The prospecting IPP (Independent PowerProducer) shall not claim any right onallotment for self identified RE projects.

7.Wherever more than one prospecting IPP isinvolved, if necessary, the self identified REprojects shall be considered for allotment onthe basis of open competitive bidding.

8.The allotment committee and Government willhave the right to decide on the number of REprojects that may be allotted to any givensingle IPP/developer.

9.Enhancement of allotted capacity of the REprojects will be considered on merit, onlyafter submission of detailed project report(DPR), justifying the enhancement.

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10. Transfer/Sale of allotted RE capacity willbe considered as per rules and regulations ofthe Government, only after submitting necessaryjustification.

11. Any sanctioned RE project that remains un-developed within the time limit as per theagreement, the state Government has a right tocancel and terminate the project and the samemay be allotted through open competitivebidding. However the Government may considergiving necessary time extension on merit andjustification after remitting extension fee toKREDL as fixed by Government.

12. From the date of agreement for the REprojects sanctioned, Royalty will be exemptedup to 18 years, and from 19th year, Royalty tothe Government on Renewable Energy, shall becollected @ 15 % of the energy generated.

13. The RE Projects, will be sanctioned for atotal period of 30 years from the date ofexecution of the agreement. However, theGovernment may consider extending the projectperiod after the expiry of the agreement basedon merit and justification.

8. Renewable energy “Green Energy Cess” corpus

fund

1.Recognizing the importance of renewable energyfor its benefits in the field of energy,environment and social development, the Govt.of Karnataka considered it necessary to createa separate corpus fund.

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2.“Green Energy Cess” of five paise per unitwould be levied on the electricity tocommercial and industrial consumers.

3.The proceeds from the “Green Energy Cess” willbe set aside, to KREDL for supporting renewableenergy projects, R & D projects, bio fuelprojects, Energy Efficiency & Energyconservation, publicity & awareness, etc tothe benefit of the state and public at large.

9. Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency(EC&EE)One unit of energy saved is equivalent to twounits of energy generated. Cost of producing anadditional unit of power is much higher thanconserving the same quantity of power. Energyconservation covers lighting, heating, coolingequipment etc. The state government is committed to introduceeffective energy conservation measures in allsectors of economy. Conservation of energy indomestic, commercial, agricultural & industrialsector by the use ofenergy efficient devices, need based consumptionof electricity, avoiding wasteful use etc., maylead to saving of about 10% in the first 5 yearsand up to 20% in the next 5 years of the totalgeneration capacity. One of the cheapest ways toreduce carbon comes from conservation. Energyefficiency and conservation measures will resultin opportunities to avail CDM benefits.

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1.In order to attain the energy conservation andefficiency objectives the GOI has promulgated“The Energy Conservation Act 2001”.

2.Government of Karnataka in its notification No.DE 22 PSR 2002 dtd. 13/5/2004 (G.O.No.P.R 360Part 4A dt.3/6/2004) nominated KREDL as “TheDesignated Agency” to coordinate, regulate andenforce the provision of the EnergyConservation Act.

3.Energy Auditing will be mandatory in the statefor industrial units where load is exceeding600 KVA.

4. It is mandated to bring in Energy ConservationBuilding Code and Standards & Labeling alongwith measures to encourage use of energyefficient technologies, equipment, processes,and devices.

The Government of Karnataka vide No. EN 396 NCE2006 dtd. 13/11/2007 and corrigendum, No. EN 87 NCE2008 dtd. 8/4/2008 notified the following, undersection 18, Energy conservation act 2001:

1.Mandatory use of solar water heating systems.2.Mandatory use of Compact Florescent Lamp (CFL)

in Government Buildings / aided institutions /Boards/ Corporations.

3.Mandatory use of ISI mark Motor pump sets,Power capacitor, Foot valves in Agriculturesector.

4.Promotion of Energy Efficient Building design.

Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation measureshave to be implemented through public participation

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and involvement creating necessary awareness.Therefore the following are proposed.

1.District Advisory Committee (DAC), headed by DCof the concerned district will be theauthority to implement the EnergyConservation (EC) and Energy Efficiencymeasures (EE) in the district.

2.All ESCOMs will create special cell under DSMfor Energy Conservation (EC) and EnergyEfficiency (EE) and establish exhibitioncenters like in BESCOM.

3.Akshaya Urja Clubs in Engineering colleges willbe involved in Energy Conservation (EC) andEnergy Efficiency (EE) activities.

4.Akshaya Urja shops and District Energy Parkswill also be involved in Energy Conservation(EC) and Energy Efficiency (EE), education andawareness programme by displaying equipmentsand publicity material etc.

5.At district level a special squad will beformed under DAC involving the Govt.departments like; Revenue, Zilla Panchayat,ESCOM, Industry, Agriculture, Education, PWD,Municipality, Police, Forest etc to implementand monitor for the Energy Conservation (EC)and Energy Efficiency (EE) measures.

6.Government is committed to introduction ofenergy saving bulbs like CFL, LED, Electronicchokes etc in Government buildings, EnergyManagement systems to street lights. Alsopromote the same in rural and urban areas.

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7.Energy Audit and Energy Conservation and EnergyEfficiency is mandatory in Governmentbuildings.

8.Energy Audit of designated consumers ismandatory and it will be mandatory fordesignated consumers to appointment accreditedenergy auditors/energy managers.

10. Benefits under Clean Development Mechanism(CDM)Global warming resulting in climate change is amatter of concern to all nations in the world. TheKyoto Protocol has created a favorable climate forInternational support mobilization for renewableenergy development. The Clean Development Mechanism(CDM) provides avenues for earning carbon creditand mitigation of green house gases (GHG) underUNFCCC protocol. The Government of Karnataka designated KREDL as theNODAL AGENCY vide no. EN 94 NCE 2005 dated 17/06/05for considering CDM proposals. In this regard,KREDL will extend necessary cooperation andguidance. In Karnataka, the RE developers haveavailed 80, 62,9540 of CERs as on July 2008 inabout 31 RE projects, and there is further scope toavail CDM benefits.

11. Publicity and awarenessThe state government is committed to undertakePublicity and awareness activity to promote andpopularize the use of renewable energy resources,and energy efficiency and energy conservationmeasures.

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1.KREDL will actively involve in publicity andawareness on the use of renewable energysystems/devices through print and electronicmedia. Special events like Rajiv Gandhi AkshyaUrja Divas will be organized.

2.District level Advisory Committees will beinvolved in publicity and awareness programmes.NGOs and social /youth groups will also beinvolved and encouraged.

3.Special purpose Demo mobile vans fitted withvarious solar, solar PV and Solar wind Hybridsystems will be used to educate the school andcollage students as well as the general public.

4.Similar to the State energy park, Districtlevel energy parks will be established in allthe Districts and involved in publicity andawareness.

5.In order to support the establishments, toengage in the sale of various solar and othersolar-wind hybrid etc equipments Akshaya Urjashops/Aditya Solar shops have been establishedin 22 Districts and offered subsidy as per MNREnorms.

6.Akshaya Urja Energy Clubs formed in 52Engineering colleges will be involved inpublicity and awareness.

7.To popularize use and application of solar andother solar-wind hybridequipments/technologies, MNRE sanctioned demoprogrammes will be implemented involvingInstitutions and public.

8.To popularize the energy conservation measures,Energy conservation awards will be conferred as

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per BEE norms on the occasion of the EnergyConservation day (14th December) every year.

12. Remote Village Electrification (RVE)

1.Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) hasinitiated Remote village electrificationprogram with an objective to electrify remotevillages/hamlets through RE sources especiallythrough solar energy like home lighting andstreet lighting etc. Implementation of theprogram will help to achieve the goal of 100%village electrification in the country by 2012.

2.KREDL has electrified 16 remote villages inKarwar, Belgaum and Chikkamagalur Districtsthrough solar lights under the remoteelectrification program of MNRE.

3.Fourteen remote hamlets are being electrifiedin Mysore and Chamrajnagar Districts throughsolar.

13. Benefits to community

RE projects supplement rural energy needs on asustainable basis and provide decentralized energysupply for agriculture, industry, commercial andhousehold sectors. RE projects reduce & mitigatethe environmental pollution caused by the fossilfuels protecting the climate change, apart fromgenerating direct & indirect employmentopportunities for rural people leading to socio-economic development in hilly and backward regions.RE projects also offer CDM benefits that can beshared with community/local bodies.

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14. Amendments/relaxation/interpretation of

provisions of the policy

Government of Karnataka will have powers to

amend/relax/interpret any of the provisions under

this policy.

15. Applicability

This policy would become effective from the date

of its notification in the official Gazette of

Government of Karnataka.

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