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As developing countries seek to improve their economic prospects, electricity reform has been widely viewed as a central part of this effort. While the focus of most research to date [...]

A noted specialist on India's energy security reviews the range of energy-related issues that will have a bearing on that country's ability to sustain the high current rates of economic growth and development into the future. The author explores the multiple challenges India confronts in securing (through domestic production and external sources) an adequate mix of energy supplies (hydrocarbon fuels, nuclear power, renewable energy sources) and describes as well as analyzes a broad front of actions (both government programs and the activities of private companies) taken to address them. The analysis illuminates India's important role in the production and consumption of several forms of energy. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O130, P280, Q400. 5 figures, 64 references. Key words: India, oil, natural gas, coal, electric power, renewable energy, nuclear power, petroleum refining, petroleum exports, global warming. DOI: 10.2747/1539-7216.50.6.665

The production of low-cost wind generation through decentralized power stations in India is discussed.

The evaluation of the financial aspects of biomass gasifier power projects for the decentralization of power supply in India, based on the usage of dual fuel engines and 100% producer gas engines, isn presented.

India finalized its nuclear command structure and formalized its nuclear doctrine in January 2003, nearly five years after coming out of the nuclear closet and openly declaring itself as a nuclear-weapon state. While a clearly enunciated nuclear doctrine and command structure are seen by some as essential in enhancing regional stability and assuaging the concerns of the international community, its implications for the civil-military relations in India remain far from clear. Strategic imperatives and political pressures concerning civil-military relations seem to be pulling Indian nuclear policy in opposite directions. This article examines Indian nuclear doctrine and command structure with an attempt to decipher its implications for the future of civil-military relations in India with respect to the management of its nuclear arsenal. Keywords: India; nuclear proliferation; civil-military relations; nuclear doctrine

The lone success story in the Bush administration's epic narrative of foreign policy failure is the approval of its nuclear deal with India. Supporters of the deal had feared that [...]

The development of small hydro-power projects in India by using remote sensing data and its effects on energy economics is discussed.

The growth of electric utility sector in India and its forecasts are presented.

Indian energy policy and its role in the country's economic development is discussed.

The government of India is planning to reduce the subsidies of fuels like Kerosene and LPG in India. These fuels are used in households in India for cooking as well as lighting. The implications of reduction of subsidies on poor are examined. The study indicates that the reduction of subsidies on LPG is justified but reduction of subsidies on Kerosene is likely to affect the poor so some policies to mitigate the impact will have to be devised.

With the need to address the rising energy needs in India, India has opted for the development of a pipeline project with Iran. But such a pipeline has to traverse through the Pakistan territory thereby necessitating the role of Pakistan in the project. India on the other hand does not wish to have Pakistan interference with the fear that the military conflicts between the countries may possibly erupt in near future. Therefore a study on the development of such a pipeline considering the economic interests of India, which are not in alignment with the politico-economic and strategic objective of Iran and Pakistan, is presented.

A study using two important macroeconomic indicators, the emission-intensity ratio and energy-intensity ratio is conducted to analyze the environmental and energy policies in three developing countries, Brazil, China and India. The results show that the trends differ from the ones seen in industrialized nations.

The reforms in the energy sector are said to lead to an improvement of the environment. The reforms in the energy sector in India and the entry of independent power producers has led to a reduction in pollution due to electricity generation. However, the gains are not significant when compared to the situation in developed economies like the UK. The regulatory and institutional framework is largely responsible for poor environmental benefits.

The Indian wind industry was placed third in terms of total installed capacity of wind electricity in the world some years back. It suffered a great setback when this rank shifted down to fifth after the United States, Germany, Denmark, and Spain in the later years. The falling profitability of private wind farm operations in the country today has been the cause of deep concern to many. As a result of the initiatives taken by the government to promote wind energy, different states have started supporting the wind power companies and investors with liberal policy initiatives. The steps to be adopted by the government agencies in order to ensure the desired growth of the wind industry in the country have been suggested in the paper. The paper also lists suggestions to meet the technical challenges faced by the Indian wind industry and to improve the performance of wind farms in India. It further suggests that a right choice of wind electric generators with an optimum rated wind speed will improve the wind farm performance. Potential markets and the role of utilities have also been described. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9402(2004)130:3(67) CE Database subject headings: Wind energy; Wind speed; Electric power output; India.

In the absence of a distribution reform, India's current reform policies have been assessed and alternative institutional structures for reform in the distribution sector are proposed. Ways to choose the reorganization path after identifying the situation in the many Indian states is provided.

India is promoting the use of solar, or photovoltaic, lanterns with a subsidy. A study of solar lantern dissemination indicates a need for better publicity than word of mouth.

The authors used two Delphi surveys of energy experts to point up two methods for energy planning in Kerala State, India.

The authors find that greenhouse gases could be reduced by 25% using carbon taxes in India, focusing on three major power sources.

This paper examines the energy use of small- and medium-scale industries (SMI) and their impact on the environment. An overview is presented of the environmental and energy policies of India, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam and the Philippines, and the influence of environmentally sound, energy efficient polices on SMIs is considered.

The factors hindering the popularity of technically sound energy-efficient technologies in developing countries like India, are examined. A survey involving 900 respondents from different socio-economic background is reviewed, for determining the above and finding solutions.

The energy policy of the Government of India aims to ensure adequate energy supplies at minimal cost, achieving self-sufficiency in energy supplies and protecting the environment from the adverse impact of using energy resources in an injudicious manner. To achieve its goals, the Indian Government invited the support of the private sectors as before for the development and exploitation of environmentally friendly new and renewable sources of energy. This paper proposes one such technology of generating electricity from municipal solid waste (MSW), to be implemented in Tamilnadu State. To do so, a complete feasibility survey has been conducted with a probable developer and the benefits of this project are compared with the existing wind farm project to attract more investors in the future. Index Terms--Electricity generation, environmental issues, municipal solid waste, wind farm.

India's wind-generated energy industry, initially developed with the use of capital-based incentives, now needs to be encouraged with production-based incentives. Regulation, especially through C-WET, the national wind energy center, is needed to encourage private sector investing and address commercial and state concerns.

The Indian government has initiated a major restructuring program aimed at improving the efficiency and production level of the energy sector. However, in realizing its goals, the government has to address a number of cost problems and other financial concerns. Two of the alternatives taken under consideration is the elimination of price control through fossil-fuel-based production and the liberalization of the entire sector. However, it was shown that the two proposals may not generate positive results since both fail to note long- and short-term gains.

The current guidelines of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India pose pricing problems of power for the Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The CEA is the agency that gives out guidelines and sets tariffs for power projects in the country. CEA guidelines determine operating parameters, imposing tariffs that mitigates the incentives of the IPP to find loans and develop cheap alternative fuel. Moreover, the guidelines do not benefit IPPs for diminishing capital costs. The combined political risk and bureaucracy in the country also serve to hinder the development of power projects.