Stressing on the importance of country's energy security, Mr APJ Abdul Kalam former President of India recently suggested setting up of a National Energy Commission.

According to Mr Kalam, the Commission would help in coordinating efforts to meet the rising energy needs of the country's growing population.

Speaking at the conference on India's Energy Future organized by the Economist magazine, Mr Kalam said that highest priority should be given to energy efficiency.

He said that "India is expected to need a power generation capacity of 4,00,000 MW by 2030 from of over 2,00,000 MW."

This is based on the assumption that energy demand is to grow around 5% annually.

He added that out of the total expected addition of around 45,000 MW is expected to come from nuclear energy while hydro sources could account for at least 50,000 MW during the same period.

He further added that "Generating, transmission and distribution should not have any subsidy. What all subsidies has to be given to the economically vulnerable section of the society, it should be given directly by the government."

Source - The Economic Times

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