Energy deficient India can produce 2,500 MW electricity by 2012 by recycling millions of tonnes of municipal and industrial waste generated each year, an Assocham study has said.
About 40,000 million tonnes of solid waste and 5,000 million cubic metre of liquid waste is generated every year in the urban areas which can be suitably recycled, it said. "Expedite setting up of waste energy projects as there is potential of generating 2,500 MW of power from urban, municipal and industrial wastes in large cities to partly meet energy shortages," it said.
The study estimates that about 1,500 MW of power could be generated from urban and municipal wastes by setting up waste energy projects and additional 1,000 MW from industrial wastes in the country by 2012.
Assocham has suggested that funds required - around Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion) - could be generated through municipalities and local governments.
It further that India has potential to reduce its projected emissions over next 30 years by nearly one-quarter for less than $25 per tonne of carbon equivalent. The study has also suggested a shift fron fossil fuels to natural gas and renewables.
"With the abundant renewable sources like biomass across the country, India has vast potential to replace the current usage of fossil fuels in various industrial/commercial applications," it said. India faces 14-15 per cent power deficit.
