New Delhi, Apr 03: Britain's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEP) on Friday agreed to help India in its efforts to add 10 per cent of the 100,000 MW generation capacity being created by 2012 through renewable energy.
At a meet organised here by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Sarah Hendry, head of the Global Atmosphere Division of Britain's Department of Environment said, "We have decided to become facilitators to fulfil the ambitious plan of having 10 per cent share of renewables in the total installed power capacity by 2012 in India".

REEP already has similar projects in nine regions of Africa, Asia, Central and East Europe, North America and Latin America.

Hendry said there are over 20 projects underway to provide faster, more cost effective ways of delivering changes that will accelerate the market development of renewables and energy efficiency.

The REEP is a global partnership of government, business, finance and other organisations and is committed to working together to deliver policy, regulatory and financing frameworks.

On plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions leading to global warming, Head of Climate Change Division of the Department of Environment Kate White said Britain was already committed to reduce emissions to 12.5 per cent below the 1990 levels by 2012.

As part of this move, Britain is targeting 10 per cent of the country's electricity be supplied from renewable energy and at least double the capacity of combined heat and power by 2010, said White.

The official expressed confidence that Britain's new energy policy will ensure that energy, environment and economic growth are properly integrated.

Chairman of ASSOCHAM expert committee on renewable energy Rakesh Bakshi lamented that the Electricity Act 2003 has failed in defining the exact role of renewable sources of energy in India's road map for doubling generation capacity by 2012.
To resolve this, and to promote investment in the renewables sector, Bakshi urged a separate legislation. Bureau Report