Promotion of renewable energy in Indian power sector moving towards deregulation

Renewable energy is a sustainable and clean source of energy derived from nature. These technologies have long been recognized as an important part of the solution to address energy security concerns and ensure economic growth in an environment friendly manner. Deregulation has changed the traditional mission and mandates of power utilities in complex ways, and had large impacts on environmental, social, and political conditions for any particular country like India. The renewable energy based power generating systems can play a major role towards the fulfilment of energy requirements of restructured electricity market. In this paper, efforts have been made to summarize the availability, current status, environmental effects, promotion policies and future potentials & strategies of renewable energy options in India.