Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and CAG reccos

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was constituted in 1983 to carry out certain regulatory and safety functions under the Atomic Energy Act, and  the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The mission of the Board is to ensure that the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause undue risk to health and the environment.

A committee was set up in 1987 with Shri V.N. Meckoni as Chairman to review the functions and responsibilities of AERB. The functions and responsibilities of AERB were broadened considerably. 

In August 2012, the CAG reviewed AERB and noted many shortcomings. Given below are the functions of the AERB and the related criticisms of the CAG. Criticisms given in red

Akshay Urja Shops

Akshay Urja Shops are retail outlets which would sell and service all Renewable Energy Devices and Systems including Solar Energy Products. This effort is being promoted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy which will provide support to the shops in terms of soft loans through banks and monthly recurring grant & incentive for first two years of operation. 1

The network of Akshay Urja Shops would cover all the districts of the country. Some features of the shops are:

• State Nodal agencies, Private entrepreneurs and NGOs can set up and operate such shops in all districts of the country. 
• Only one shop per district.
• The scheme will be operated through State Nodal Agencies and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA).
• Applicants are eligible to avail loans to a maximum of 85% of the cost of establishment subject to a maximum of Rs.10 lakhs through designated banks for establishment of the shops at an interest rate of 7%. It is repayable over a period of five years.  . 
• The shops shall disseminate information on renewable energy devices/ systems.
• Facilitate individuals/companies to go in for renewable energy devices by establishing linkage with banks. 
• To make the shops  commercially viable, the shop may sell energy- efficient items, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), lighting accessories, high efficiency kerosene stoves etc. in addition to the items related to renewable energy.

These were previously called Aditya Solar Shops.


1. http://www.bankofindia.com/aksayurja.aspx
2 http://www.indg.in/rural-energy/policy-support/akshay-urja-shops

International Energy Agency (IEA)

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an autonomous organisation which works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 28 member countries (mostly developed states of the North) and beyond.

Founded in response to the 1973/4 oil crisis, the IEA’s initial role was to help countries co-ordinate a collective response to major disruptions in oil supply through the release of emergency oil stocks to the markets (for eg: IEA makes 60 million barrels of oil available to market to offset Libyan disruption (23 June 2011)). Each IEA member is required to hold oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports and to maintain emergency measures for responding collectively to sudden disruptions in oil supply.

Additionally the IEA recognizes the broader needs of ensuring energy security and is progressively taking a more comprehensive approach to the security of supplies, including for example natural gas supplies and power generation. And, it is at the heart of global dialogue on energy, providing authoritative and unbiased research, statistics, analysis and recommendations.

Today, the IEA’s four main areas of focus are:

• Energy security: Promoting diversity, efficiency and flexibility within all energy sectors
• Economic development: Ensuring the stable supply of energy to IEA member countries and promoting free markets to foster economic growth and eliminate energy poverty
• Environmental awareness: Enhancing international knowledge of options for tackling climate change
• Engagement worldwide: Working closely with non-member countries, especially major producers and consumers, to find solutions to shared energy and environmental concerns

Cooperation between the IEA and India started in 1998, and has intensified and broadened significantly since India’s participation, jointly with China and Russia, in the IEA 2009 Ministerial. A ‘Proposed Schedule of Joint Action for the years 2011-2012’ was also drawn up.2

Sources:

1.      http://www.iea.org/about/index.asp

2.      http://www.iea.org/ministerial_public/India.pdf

Integrated Energy Policy 2008

The objective of the Integrated Energy Policy is to reliably meet the demand for energy services of all sectors including the lifeline energy needs of vulnerable households in all parts of the country with safe, clean and convenient energy at the least-cost. It lays out the strategy for meeting India’s energy needs for the next 25 years.

Salient features of the Policy:

1.      Establish independent regulation.

2.      Tax structure and regulatory philosophy applied in each energy sector should be consistent with overall energy policy.

3.      Energy pricing: should encourage users to conserve energy and switch to preferred sources. Domestic petroleum prices should be adjusted to trade-parity prices.

4.      Subsidies must be transparent and targeted.

5.      PSUs operating in the energy sector must operate with autonomy and accountability.

6.      India will have to pursue all available fuel and energy options both domestically and abroad.

7.      Energy markets should be competitive wherever possible.

8.      Promote energy-efficiency by enforcing energy standards effectively.

9.      Encourage energy research

10.  Renewable energy: Fuel wood plantations, bio-gas plants, wood gasifier based power plants, bio-diesel and ethanol should be promoted.

11.  Ensure energy security by

-       lowering the requirement of energy,

-       substituting imported fuels with alternatives,

-       expanding the domestic energy resource base,

-       maintaining reserve equivalent to 90 days of oil imports,

-       building strategic stockpile of nuclear fuel to counter the risk of disruption of international fuel supply,

-       acquiring energy assets abroad and setting up energy using industries such as fertilizer plants in energy rich countries.

12.  Recommended initiatives would have effect on reducing the green house gas intensity of the economy by as much as by one third. 

Source: http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=46172