Renewable Energy Policy 6 November, 2010 - With increasing emphasis on curtailing the risk of glacial retreat and its consequent impact over hydropower, the government plans to access alternative energy resources to ensure energy security.
The groundwork for the process of developing a road map for the country’s renewable energy has begun by formulating a policy that would direct the validation of instituting various forms of renewable energy in the country.
According to officials from the department of energy (DoE), the need to have a policy was felt, because of the government’s aim to shift to other alternative sources of energy, and diversify the risks arising out of overdependence on one resource.
The groundwork for the process of developing a road map for the country’s renewable energy has begun by formulating a policy that would direct the validation of instituting various forms of renewable energy in the country.
According to officials from the department of energy (DoE), the need to have a policy was felt, because of the government’s aim to shift to other alternative sources of energy, and diversify the risks arising out of overdependence on one resource.
Bhutan’s dependence on hydropower as the only source of electricity has been marked by seasonal disadvantages, forcing the country to rely on imports during its lean winter months.
“Renewable energy should be developed to fill the gap and reduce the risk of energy scarcity in the country,” said the chief engineer of the energy department Mewang Gyeltshen.
Though renewable energy, such as wind, solar and bio fuels, are considered environmental friendly and necessary, their establishment entails huge costs.
The director general of the department of energy, Yeshi Wangdi, said the cost of generating renewable energy is high, because of its complexity in terms of investment and use of different technologies.
Producing one megawatt of solar energy would require approximately more than one and half times the size of a football pitch to set up solar panels. This is expensive, considering soaring land prices, said Yeshi Wangdi.
Moreover, each form of renewable energy resources requires different levels of technological maturity, implementation and regulation.
For example, the formula that works for wind will not work for solar energy, said Mewang Gyeltshen.
Considering the high cost of generation and implementation, he said the government should think of providing incentives and subsidies to the companies venturing into establishing renewable energy sources. Investing in the establishment of renewable energy sources is not very profitable, he added.
Yeshey Wangdi said that, since the power of winds and sun is much stronger in winter, harnessing these energies can possibly fill the gap of winter power shortages.
He also said the main challenge facing wind energy is its intermittence. Since natural forces cannot be controlled for one’s advantage, we can only select the best sites and assess where wind resources are best to be applied and harnessed.
At present, the energy department has identified potential sites for the plantation of windmills; which include Chukha, Chelela (between Paro and Haa), and Wangduephodrang.
The policy is expected to be completed within the first half of next year.
SOURCE: Kuenselonline
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