Bengal says no to nuclear energy, yes to solar power

The West Bengal government doesn't want nuclear plants and it is instead all set to introduce rooftop solar power schemes to increase its renewable energy supply, a minister said Friday.

"The state government is opposed to setting up nuclear energy plants. Many other countries, like Germany, are phasing out nuclear plants. Nuclear energy is not risk-free and it has not been opted for by the state government," said state Power and Non-Conventional Energy Sources Minister Manish Gupta.

He was speaking at the 'Energy Sustainability Conclave 2013 : Energy Security - Empowering the Energy Future', organised here by the Bengal Chamber.

"We need to make bold moves in renewable energy. We are trying to launch very large solar rooftop schemes in all the cities and going for more regulations to bring a solar power in new buildings, commercial buildings, complexes and industries. In that way we hope that once it catches on we can provide subsidies," said Gupta.

Downplaying the lag in the growth in renewable energy production in the state as compared to states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, Gupta said "renewable energy is an essential solution but a high cost solution".

"The share of renewable energy will be four to six percent from the total energy mix in 2020 in India. This is not a very encouraging forecast that has been done by the Planning Commission," he said.