Strategic Plan for New and Renewable Energy Sector for the period (2011 - 2017).

This Strategic Plan for New and Renewable Energy Sector for the period (2011 - 2017) is a sectoral policy document at the national level. The document outlines the mission, objectives, goals, implementation, and evaluation plan for India's renewable energy sector. The strategy includes on-grid and off-grid solutions, and focuses on financial incentives for implementing a policy emphasizing off-grid biomass and solar technology in rural settings. It sets up the Vision of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE): to upscale and mainstream the use of new and renewable energy sources in furtherance of the national aim of energy security and energy independence, with attendant positive impact on local, national and global environment. The key objectives of the Ministry are: 1 To promote deployment of grid-interactive renewable power generation projects 2 To promote renewable energy initiatives for: 1) meeting energy/ lighting needs in rural areas 2) supplementing energy needs in urban areas 3) supplementing energy needs in industry and commercial establishments, and 3 To promote research, design and development activities at premier national institutions and industries on different aspects of new and renewable energy technologies and help development of new products 4 To encourage development of a Robust Manufacturing Industry in Renewable Energy Sector.
The strategies proposed for 2011-17 include: 1 Promote concept of small power plants at tail-end of grid for both solar and biomass and developing financial support structures. 2 Development of entrepreneurship for rural electrification through biomass wastes , rice husk, solar, etc. and enabling availability of banks/ grant funds. 3 Large-scale deployment and movement towards indigenisation as already incorporated in the Solar Mission. 4 Incremental improvements in technologies for achieving greater efficiencies to make them more viable and acceptable, especially for solar cooling and cooking. 5 Identifying niche areas for application of RE technologies and reducing consumption of diesel and evolving suitable mechanisms for off-grid deployments. 6 Identifying possible business models to promote large-scale adoption of improved cook-stoves with limited government support. 7 Developing new financial instruments including Risk Guarantee Fund. 8 Promoting energy plantations of fast growing species of bamboo/ other trees to provide feedstock for small capacity biomass power plants for captive/ local use. 9 Capacity building and awareness generation in Green buildings and campuses. 10 Demonstration projects for new technologies such as solar thermal hybrid for small plants, rice straw boilers, pine needles based gasifiers, solar thermal gas hybrids and solar thermal with storage for large plants. 11 Development of independent concurrent monitoring systems.