6 August 2010
NAPM facilitated a national energy consultation in Bhopal; demanded serious national attention towards energy generation and use, demand and supply, alternatives and affordable, sustainable pro-people energy perspective.
press release
August 2, 2010
Peoples’ Movements damn the politics of power and energy
NAPM facilitated a national energy consultation, demanded serious national attention towards energy generation and use, demand and supply, alternatives and affordable, sustainable pro-people energy perspective
Bhopal - The national consultation on energy, organised by NAPM, demanded a comprehensive national perspective about all the sources of energy, the actual requirement and sustainability oriented consumption pattern in planning energy security for the nation and not consider energy as electricity alone. The Integrated Energy Policy (IEP) of the central government falls short and misses the very chance to be anything but comprehensive.
The IEP projection of 8,00,000 MW demand by 2030 based on 8% economic growth is an exaggerated projection. This demand is calculated on the basis of a GDP centered projection instead of a need based projection. Experts opined that the 13.8% national deficit in the power can be met by bringing down the transmission and distribution loss, which is at 28.65%. IEP has projected a combined generation of 1,40,000 MW by 2032 from renewable sources like solar, wind and biomass. Instead of more fossil fuel and big dam based projects, the government should tap the renewable sources to meet the energy needs, the consultation demanded.
This, along with very serious and challenging discussions on energy alternatives and alternatives to electricity were the key issues of discussion at the two day consultation workshop organised by National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) on the 1st and 2nd of August in Bhopal. The workshop on the 'Energy Scenario and Power Projects in India: Conceptualisation and Strategy,' was attended by scientists, activists, journalists, filmmakers, researchers, lawyers, etc. from several states. Key organizations included National Forum of Forest People and Forest Workers, Bharat Jan Vigyan Samiti, Andhra Pradesh Vyavasaya Vritidarula Union, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Lokhit Sreejan Samiti, Bargi Bandh Vistapit Sangathan, Chutka Parmanu Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, Kisan Sangatha, Jhansi Ghat, Matu Jan Sangathan, Pennurumai Iyekkam, Greenpeace, Bank Information Center and Delhi Forum.
The central government, the Planning Commission and all the state agencies have been working up the energy and power ‘paranoia’ for the past several years, especially since initiation of the globalisation process; to make sure that people surrender their everything to the vulgar and one-sided national growth. The need of the hour is sustainable development and promotion of the non-conventional and traditional sources of energy rather than the huge investment in the thermal, hydro and nuclear power projects, leading to further destruction and loss of human, environmental and natural resources. As of this date, a large number of families have been uprooted and displaced due to large number of thermal and hydro power projects. The questions which became key in 90s regarding the ‘development paradigm’ remain; for whom, how and at what price needs to be asked yet again, ie. energy for whom, how and at what cost.
Mr. Shankar Sharma, energy expert, said, “There is a need for an essential vision where more significant issues need deliberation such as how much energy needs to be produced, and at what cost to society. There is no actual deficit or gap between the quantity of power produced and required. However, India needs to stop the criminal waste of close to 40% of transmission & distribution losses.”
J.V. Ratnam, a journalist and activist from Sompeta, Andhra Pradesh presented the film that showed police lathi-charging and firing at peacefully resisting local people who were opposing the thermal power plant – being built on a Beela (wetland) in Srikakulam District. Avdhesh Trivedi of Srijan Lokhit Samiti, Rajukumar Sinha of Bargi Bandh Visthapit Sangh and Ummaid Patel of Kisan Sagathan, Jhansi Ghat Madhya Pradesh described the situation of numerous thermal, hydropower and some nuclear plants coming up in their region. They narrated the story of a completely apathetic government that is implementing these power plants without any understanding or assessment of their impact. The massive environmental and human destruction caused in Singrauli continues to haunt the people but the government ignoring all that has planned 13 more thermal plants in the region.
Visit the website
National Alliance of Peoples' Movements