'Green tech to open doors for R&D, create jobs'

MUMBAI: With India emphasising on the renewables sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, collaborations in research and development (R&D ) will play a key role in enabling the country in achieving its objectives. ‘‘ R&D will play a big role and there is an urgency to move quickly in this direction ,’’ said Simon Puttock, executive director, Energy Technology Partnership (ETP), Scotland, an alliance of independent Scottish Universities , currently engaged in energy research, development and demonstration.

Puttock was in Mumbai recently as part of Scotland’s partnership with India on renewables , wherein the two countries are working at developing new technologies for wind energy, solar energy, marine and bio-fuels . ‘‘ It will be like a front door access to the world. Indian companies could come and set up bases in Scotland and vice-versa . The aspiration is that we collaborate not just on the research front, but also between industry and researchers and industry and industry. Scottish companies like Sgurr Energy have already made a beginning by setting up office in India,’’ Puttock told TOI.

For India to continue to achieve its economic growth of 8% per annum, it will need to significantly grow its supply of energy. It is estimated, that the country would require a 300% increase in primary energy and a 400% increase in electricity to achieve its economic objectives. India is thus looking to secure its long term energy supply and reduce dependency on energy imports by identifying new sources of supply.

‘‘ India represents a large, emerging market in which Scottish renewables expertise and technology can be applied ,’’ said Puttock. Said Mahesh Makhija, vice president (renewables), CLP India, ‘‘ R&D will be paramount in wind and solar energy sectors. However, what is important is the applicability of research and its implementation.’’