In India’s Western Gujarat State, Sustainable Energy Starts With the Sun
BARODA, India, Jan 19 (IPS) - It began with an experiment to install photovoltaic cells over an irrigation canal that forms part of the Sardar Sarovar canal network – a massive hydel power project across the River Narmada that irrigates some 1.8 million hectares of arable land in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
After a succesful pilot project, the government of Gujarat has now invested some 18.3 million dollars into replicating the scheme over a 3.6-km stretch of the irrigation canal in the hopes of generating 10 MW of power.
The project received endorsement from U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon on Jan. 11, as it represents global efforts to move towards a new poverty-eradication framework that will replace the Millennium Development Goals at the end of this year, putting sustainability at the heart of the global development agenda.
With some 21,600 solar panels running over a length of the Vadodara branch of the canal, experts say the installation could generate power to the tune of 16.2 million units per annum, since the canal receives bright sunlight for eight months out of the year.
Skeptics worry that without proper planning and management, the surplus power could be siphoned off by commercial enterprises unless there are concerted efforts to combine the sustainable energy initiative with poverty eradication.
Edited by Kanya D'Almeida
© Inter Press Service (2015) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
Where next?
Browse related news topics:
- Trade, Economy, & Related Issues
- Causes of Poverty
- United Nations on Development Issues
- Non-governmental Organizations on Development Issues
- Third World Debt Undermines Development
- Free Trade and Globalization
- Environmental Issues
- Biodiversity
- Nature and Animal Conservation
- Climate Change and Global Warming
- Human Population
- Consumption and Consumerism
- Sustainable Development
- Energy Security
- Water and Development
- G8: Too Much Power?
- Food and Agriculture Issues
- Democracy
- Global Financial Crisis
Read the latest news stories:
- ‘Moral obligation’ of Haitian NGO worker to carry on despite kidnapping of two children Saturday, May 04, 2024
- ‘Our voices need to be included’: Trinidadian youth make case for strong role in climate negotiations Saturday, May 04, 2024
- Media Freedom Declining Across Europe, With Implications for Rule of Law Friday, May 03, 2024
- Pillay: Israel is helped by ‘powerful States’ in violation of Palestinians’ rights Friday, May 03, 2024
- World News in Brief: Attacks on civilians in DR Congo, concern over conviction of trade union leader in Cambodia, gang violence in Haiti Friday, May 03, 2024
- UN agencies warn of imminent starvation risk in Sudan’s Darfur region Friday, May 03, 2024
- East Africa: UN support continues amid heavy rains, severe floods and cyclone threat Friday, May 03, 2024
- Targeting Rafah could lead to slaughter, warns UN aid agency Friday, May 03, 2024
- Disinformation in the Super Election Year Friday, May 03, 2024
- Rainy Chiloé, in Southern Chile, Faces Drinking Water Crisis Thursday, May 02, 2024
Learn more about the related issues:
- Trade, Economy, & Related Issues
- Causes of Poverty
- United Nations on Development Issues
- Non-governmental Organizations on Development Issues
- Third World Debt Undermines Development
- Free Trade and Globalization
- Environmental Issues
- Biodiversity
- Nature and Animal Conservation
- Climate Change and Global Warming
- Human Population
- Consumption and Consumerism
- Sustainable Development
- Energy Security
- Water and Development
- G8: Too Much Power?
- Food and Agriculture Issues
- Democracy
- Global Financial Crisis