Keen to claim credit for arresting carbon emissions into the atmosphere, the Delhi Government's Power Department has taken the lead in promoting energy conservation by preparing a road map that will direct the power distribution companies to procure power generated from renewable sources. Regulatory commission According to the Electricity Act, 2003, the State's regulatory commission is mandated to promote generation of electricity from renewable sources. While regulatory commissions in Haryana, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra have already notified the cost of electricity generated from micro hydel projects -- considered renewable energy sources -- Delhi is yet to take a similar stand. "We are also eager to have power generated from renewable sources. The Commission is currently working out the details of how we can have power generated from renewable sources including from the waste that is generated in the city. The proposal is being worked on and we will soon be able to spell out its details,' said Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) Secretary Amarendra Kumar Tewary. The Electricity Act says that the State regulatory commission should "promote co-generation and generation of electricity from renewable sources of energy by providing suitable measures for connectivity with the grid and sale of electricity to any person, and also specify, for purchase of electricity from such sources, a percentage of the total consumption of electricity in the area of a distribution licensee.' Experts in the power sector explain that Delhi's regulatory commission has to specify the quantum of energy for the State that should be generated from renewable sources and also notify its cost. Dependence "Once the DERC directs the discoms to have a certain percentage of total supplied power generated from renewable sources, it will also have to notify its price. The discoms then have to meet the criterion laid down,' said an expert. Referring to the need for cutting down dependence on non-renewable sources for power generation, Delhi Power Secretary Rajinder Kumar said: "Though power generated from the renewable energy sources is costly, it is necessary, taking into account global warming and its impact. We have to look at the bigger picture. Power generated through renewable sources, which is necessitated for by the law may not look economically feasible now, but it eventually works out well for the environment. '