UK, Netherlands and Switzerland are keen to initiate a dialogue with India for the development of Renewable Energy and Clean Development Mechanism. This was observed during a recent industry and government delegation's visit to Netherlands, United Kingdom and Switzerland from 19th to 29th June, 2002, organised by CII. The mission was led by Mr. M Kannappan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Non-Conventional Energy Sources, India.

With the focus of the developed world moving away from conventional energy to renewable energy, the Renewable Energy policy framework prevailing in these countries provides for a congenial environment to foreign investors. Thus, it was observed by the Indian delegation, that there is a need to restart an energy dialogue, especially in the field of Renewable Energy between India and Netherlands as the latter offers 7 cent reduced prices for customers for buying green power, 20% subsidies from EU and 25% subsidy from government on promoting renewables and technological developments.

An agreement was signed in Netherlands, between Center for Wind Energy Technology of India and Energy Research Centre of Netherlands on Training, R&D, policy development and institutional capacity building for Renewable Energy.

The Indian delegation held a series of interactive meetings and discussions with representatives of government and various institutions in the field of Renewable Energy in UK. Mr Bryan Wilson, Minister for Energy, UK expressed the keen interest of the UK industry and government for strengthening the relations with India on Renewable Energy. He also informed the Indian delegation that he would be leading a business delegation to India during 2003.

The meeting in Switzerland was marked by signing of the statement of intent on Indo-Swiss partnership for electrification of 18000 Indian villages, Climate Change Technological and Policy development. While the Swiss side was represented by V Sonntag O Brien, Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy (BASE), Dr Martin Vosseler, SUN21, Dr H N Sharan, FREND, the Indian side was represented by Dr V Bhaktavatsalam, Managing Director, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd(IREDA) and Mr V Raghuraman, Sr-Adviser-Energy, CII.

It was heartening to note that partnerships were emerging between Indian Corporates and Research Institutions on the European scene. Suzlon R&D Centre engaged in Wind Turbine blade research in Netherlands and the commercial marketing of Bio-gasifier developed by Indian Institute of Science in Switzerland are notable developments.

During the delegations visit to these countries, it was noted that Renewable Energy could also be promoted as a tourism business model as was being done by Netherlands and Switzerland. Floriad, a flower auction market at Netherlands was an example of a roof top PV and Solar boat, being run totally by stored charges in the battery at Switzerland were examples of using Renewable Energy as a tourist attraction and thus making a commercial venture of RE projects.

The meetings with the Climate Change Offices of these three countries did start a fruitful dialogue in establishing a relationship especially in Climate Change Mitigation and provided a understanding of policies and established partnership in promoting renewable in the country.

The mission members included Mr Ajit Gupta, Adviser-Power, Ministry of Non-conventional Energy sources; Dr V Bhaktavatsalam, Managing Director, IREDA; Mr V K Khanna, Executive Director (Operations), Rural Electrification Corpn Ltd; Mr Chetan Mehra, Managing Director, Wizmann Ltd; Mr S Chandrasekhar, Managing Director, Bhoruka Power Corpn Ltd; Mr Siddharth Agarwal, General Manager, Bhoruka Power Corpn. Ltd; Mr Rajesh Sinha, General Manager (operations), Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd. and Mr V Raghuraman, Sr Adviser, Energy, Confederation of Indian Industry.