CAPACITY BUILDING FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY IN INDIA
The energy generation from modern renewable is similar to the nuclear generation in India. The availability of trained manpower, institutions and research facilities for nuclear power are significantly better than in the renewable field. There is a need to build capacity in renewable energy and to attract professionals from the mainstream science/ engineering disciplines.
In the last few decades, the education system in most developing countries has been improved considerably, at least in urban areas. Primary and secondary schools are well established and gradually universities are opened up.
NEED FOR CAPACITY BUILDING
India’s fossil fuel reserves are limited. The major proportion of the domestic oil consumption is based on imports. Hence the importance of development of alternative energy sources has been recognized by the government.
The rapid growth in this sector would require an extensive pool of competent manpower (knowledgeable and skilled) to design, install and maintain the RE systems. The RE sector in India is currently (2010) estimated to employ 3,50,000 people, which includes both direct and indirect employment. Manpower growth in short term (2015) and medium term (2020) – The global employment in RE is expected to increase nine-fold to reach a figure of 20 million jobs by 2030, with biomass leading the growth at 59 % of total capacity followed by solar PV at 31% and wind. The higher growth rate in jobs (9 fold) vis-à-vis the installed capacity (4 fold) is on account of the larger contribution from the biomass sector, which is more man-power intensive than the other sectors (Source – Green Jobs – Towards decent work in a sustainable, low carbon world, UNEP / ILO/IOE/ITUC, Sep 2009).
Training and capacity building
The installation, operation and maintenance of Renewable energy systems need specific skills and knowledge. To impart this skill and knowledge to those entering the sector as well as continuously upgrading them, there is a need for training and capacity building. Currently there is a shortage of RE trainers, who can offer this service to the industry.
Facilitate Capacity Building
a) Strengthen existing renewable energy institutions, create new institutions, centers of excellence based on meeting the R & D vision
b) Establish India as a global hub for renewable energy training / research to carry out research in India.
Manpower Requirements - The manpower requirements for renewable energy sector can be classified based on the nature of jobs that they would perform. Figure 1 shows a listing of the typical functional areas required directly for renewable energy systems. Each of the functional areas would require different skills and may be performed by manpower employed by different institutions. For example the installation of solar PV systems may need technicians who have undergone a few weeks of training on solar PV. Siemens carried out a few training modules for technicians in India during 1995-96. In addition to these functional areas manpower would be required for financing renewables and for policy analysis and regulation.
The different institutions that are involved with renewable energy can be classified as given in above Figure.
In order to effectively make the transition from a fossil fuel driven energy system to the future renewable based energy systems, it is essential for India to focus on building capacity for manpower training, strengthening institutions and building infrastructure.
