There is an urgent need to popularise renewable energy sources such as small hydro, biomass, solar, wind, etc., as the first and possibly the most viable option. But the general trend has been to consider it as an option of the poor. Observing this at the North East India Energy-2008 on Saturday, V Subramanian, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said that increased use of renewable energy could be a potent tool to fight climate change as it does not emit carbon-dioxide. "For popularising renewable energy, we should sale it as the first and possibly the most viable option whereas the general perception has been to view it as an option of the poor,' Subramanian said. The summit was organised by India Energy Forum (IEF) in association with Assam Energy Development Agency (AEDA). Subramanian said that the 11th Plan targeted utilisation of renewable energy to the tune of 3,500 MW with a capacity addition of another 3,200 MW. "What is encouraging is that 97 per cent of the investment is by the private sector,' he said, adding that effective utilisation of renewable energy could be of immense benefit in electrification of remote villages. Subramaian said that the North-east had abundant renewable energy resources but their utilisation has not been adequate. "Apart from small hydel power projects, biomass holds a lot of scope in the region,' he said. Subramanian said that Karnataka was among the States having the least renewable energy potential but its achievement in that field is among the highest in the country. Earlier, Dr AK Baruwa, Director, AEDA, said that constraints in the form of policy, planning, technology delivery and facilitation, flow of information and capacity building needed to be addressed for realising the potential of the renewable energy sector. PS Bami, president, India Energy Forum (IEF), gave a background of the mission of IEF in promoting renewable energy in the country. He said that of late the response shown by investors in the sector had been encouraging. BC Bora, former CMD of OIL and ONGC, and A Dasgupta, convenor, Eastern India Chapter, IEF also spoke. The inaugural session was followed by four technical sessions. The summit was attended by over 130 participants from different States of the country besides three from abroad.