By IANS>/strong>
Kolkata : West Bengal will attract Rs.50 billion in investments in the energy sector in the next five years, West Bengal special secretary for power S.P. Gon Chaudhuri said here Friday.
“In the next five years, West Bengal will attract an additional Rs.50 billion in investments in the energy sector. Of this 60 percent would be spent on manufacturing and the rest would be used in power generation in the state,” Gon Chaudhuri said at a seminar organised by the International Technology Cooperation Network (INTEC) and the West Bengal Renewable Energy Agency (WBREDA).
He said in the last three years investment of around Rs.12 billion has been made in the energy sector of West Bengal.
INTEC is sponsored by the German federal ministry of economics and technology and is implemented by the Federation of Industrial Research Organisations.The objective of this network, which exists in 15 countries worldwide, is to catalyse and support technology cooperation between small and medium industry as well as research institutions between Germany and other countries.
A high-level German energy delegation Friday visited Kolkata to explore cooperation in energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, emissions trading, and clean development mechanism (CDM) in West Bengal.
The team, headed by Volkhard Riechman, deputy secretary of ministry of economic affairs and energy, state of North Rhein Westfalia, also met West Bengal Power Minister Mrinal Banerjee.
“We have selected only two states – West Bengal and Maharashtra – in India. We are open to proceed with technology tie-ups, financial assistance and specially developing CDM in West Bengal,” Riechman said, adding, “We are now focusing on energy efficiency cooperation between both countries.”
“There is huge scope to explore opportunities in renewable energy. In West Bengal we are eyeing to generate 500 MW power from renewable energy,” Gon Chaudhuri said.
“We are also trying to find ways of using methane gas in open-cast coalmines and utilise it in generating power in West Bengal. The technology that is required for this new method is not available in India. We are planning to take the assistance of the delegation in this regard,” he added.