- At the direction of the Prime Minister and Deputy Chair of the Planning Commission, an expert committee was established to develop a comprehensive energy policy in 2004. The Integrated Energy Policy, released in August 2006, addresses all aspects of energy, including energy security, access and availability, affordability and pricing, efficiency and the environment.
The Policy aims to meet energy demand 'at the least cost in a technically efficient, economically viable and environmentally sustainable manner'. It contains a number of policies that contribute to avoiding GHG emissions. It received Cabinet approval in 2008.
In relation to renewable energy, the policy proposed:The phase-out of capital subsidies by the end of the 10th Plan linked to creation of renewable grid power capacity - Requiring power regulators to seek alternative incentive structures that encourage utilities to integrate wind, small hydro, cogeneration and so on into their systems, and the linking of all such incentives to energy generated as opposed to capacity created
- Requiring power regulators to mandate feed-in laws for renewable energy, where appropriate, as provided under the Electricity Act 2003. The policy also made a range of more specific recommendations in relation to particular renewable energy sources, including mini hydro, wind and wood gasification power
The Energy Co-ordination Committee (under the chairmanship of the prime minister) oversees implementation of the policy.
