India`s renewable energy sector lacks clear policy
In this age of growing industrialisation, the focus is on renewable energy resources. According to Christopher Flavin, president of the World Watch Institute, "China and India are positioned to leapfrog industrial powers through investments in energy effi-ciency enhancing technologies and renewable energy sources'. But how does this begin? Political will to support investments in renewable technologies and encouraging smart growth initiatives should help. Clearly, China appears to be ahead of us.
China's 11th five-year plan for 2006-2011 aims to build an energy-efficient society with increased investments in renewable energy sources. A new law has been passed in China making it mandatory for all buildings constructed after 2005 to be 65 per cent more energy efficient per square metre. This includes features such as water recycling, natural ventilation, and natural lighting. China also plans to convert existing buildings as per the energy-saving model by 2020.
In November 2005, a report from the Xinhua news agency said that Shanghai was launching a 100,000 rooftop solar photovoltaic (pv) system which would generate 430 million kilowatt hours of electricity