Activity File

infoDev & DFID's Climate Technology Program begins in India

The Climate Technology Program's first pilot study takes place in India

Summary

In August, the piloting process in India began for the Climate Technology Program. A specialized consultant will be hired on the ground to map the early-stage clean technology sector in India and with the support of infoDev, will call together the main stakeholders in climate technology innovation for two in-country workshops before the end of the year. The first workshop is planned for this October in New Delhi, where infoDev will act as a convener and facilitator at the event to generate thought leadership and valuable insight into possible mechanisms to accelerate the development, deployment and transfer of clean technology in India including supporting and scaling up promising SME's in the space. The workshops will gain input from a local multi-stakeholder audience with support by international cleantech innovation specialists and experts. The deliverable of the pilot will be a practical and tangible 'plan of action' to execute phase 2 of the program including the potential implementation of a Climate Technology Innovation Center in India.

Background

The Piloting Process:

Pilot Process


Facts: India

Taj Mahal

In 2008, India generated 813TWh of electricity, 5.2% of which came from new renewables, compared to 66% from coal, 14% from large hydro, and 3% from nuclear. However, the country faces an electricity shortfall of 16% at peak demand and the grid infrastructure is woefully overloaded. The power sector is faced with increasing demand from both growing industry and the rapidly developing middle class, as well as trying to connect several hundred million Indians who do not have access to electricity.

India added nearly 3GW of grid-connected renewable energy in 2008, 2GW of which came from the wind sector. The government is under intense pressure to increase electricity production and has put strong incentives in place to spur investment into renewable energy from both domestic and foreign investors. The Indian government has set targets for each clean energy sector in its 11th Five Year Plan, to be met by 2012.

Source: UNEP, SEFI