NEW DELHI: India should look at renewable energy to meet its power needs, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has said. In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week, Ramesh drew his attention to a World Bank report on renewable energy in India. The report suggests that renewable energy is an important part of the solution to India’s power shortage.The letter gains significance as the coal and power ministries have cited growth targets to push for a more liberal forest clearance system. India has 150 giga watt of potential resources of renewable energy and the cost differential of harnessing these sources, particularly wind, small hydro, and biomass instead of coal-based power is “actually small”. As of now, India has harnessed just about 10% of its potential. The possibility of ensuring energy security through a more focused renewable energy policy would question the Coal Ministry ’s demand to open up larger tracts of forests for mining. It cites a coal requirement of 2 billion tonnes by 2031-32 as projected by the Planning Commission ’s Integrated Energy Policy to make its case.It has argued that any effort that adversely impacts coal production would impact the country’s economic growth. “As of now there is a surge of growth potential in the country and most of the sectors are on a rising path. Any curtailment on the energy source will ultimately result in the country missing growth opportunities,” the Coal Ministry has argued.Given that India’s proven coal reserves would last only another 45 years, it would mean greater reliance on imports. This would make coal generated power more expensive. Increasing the share of renewables in the energy basket would reduce dependence on coal. This would preserve forests and reduce inevitable import dependence. The World Bank study shows that a greater role for renewables in India’s energy basket is feasible.The real possibility that renewable energy offers to address the country’s power shortage could dent the ‘growth argument’ put forward by ministries like coal and power. Besides a push for renewables would come with climate and health benefits, as well as give many under-developed states a shot at improving economic development. Ramesh has suggested that the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Renewable Energy “should initiate a time bound follow-up action” on the World Bank report. The minister’s suggestion comes even as the World Bank is considering limiting financing of coal-based power plants.Renewed PushWorld Bank report In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week, Ramesh drew his attention to a World Bank report on renewable energy in India.Clean energy The possibility of ensuring energy security through a more focused renewable energy policy would question the Coal Ministry’s demand to open up larger tracts of forests for mining. Power push Ramesh has suggested that the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Renewable Energy should initiate a time bound follow-up action on the World Bank report.