Greenpeace launches report on clean electricity

Greenpeace India launched its report on clean electricity, prepared in partnership with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), on Wednesday.

On receiving interim relief from the Delhi High Court, Greenpeace had stated that it would soon launch its campaign on clean air and clean electricity.

The report proposes a creative solution for Delhi to make its streets safe for women and children by lighting up dark spots using solar street light systems.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government in Delhi had identified finding solutions to the dark spots in the city as a priority.

The NIUA report commissioned by Greenpeace lays out a blueprint on how the government can deliver on this.

"India's developmental challenges do not need repetitive rhetoric, it needs creative solutions. Greenpeace's sustainable street lighting proposal is a creative solution that not only addresses the issue of women's safety, but also helps Delhi save taxpayer money in the long run, and adopt a non-polluting pathway," said Pujarini Sen, Climate and Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace India.

Talking about the nuances of the report, Sen explained that implementing solar street light systems in all of the 700 dark spots would cost the government less than 10 crores.

"In addition, the program will help meet Delhi's renewable purchase obligation target by over 6 percent. This design can be replicated for Central Government's 'Smart Cities plan'," she added.

The AAP Government has proposed solutions in terms of deploying women security forces in the dark spots. However, the effectiveness of women security force would be lost without adequate lighting.

Greenpeace had launched a successful solar rooftop campaign titled 'Switch on the Sun' in 2013.

With massive support from the residents of Delhi, it was able to get Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) to publicly launch its Net Metering Policy last year.

"The Solar Rooftop Policy for Delhi has been in the pipeline for the last two years, due to two elections and changing Governments. We hope to see the current Delhi Government release this policy soon," said Sen.

Greenpeace India had submitted its report to the Delhi Development Commission on April 27.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had on April 9 suspended Greenpeace's FCRA license and blocked its national accounts.

Following the High Court's order regarding the allowance of funds, Greenpeace India has now been given the opportunity to take the work of clean electricity forward.

It called on the Delhi Government to implement the promise that it made in its manifesto.