The main focus of WII in renewable energy has been in
the areas of commercialization, enterprise development,
financing, institutional linkages and capacity building.
WII, therefore, has been working closely with institutions
and organizations including NGOs, utilities, self-help
groups, bankers and micro-credit organizations in building
their capacities to take sound decisions on renewable
energy. Owing to access to the markets that
these organizations have and their presence at the grassroots,
these capacity building measures ultimately benefit
the common man and the rural people.
During the last two decades, WII's renewable energy
programs have grown in volume and reach. The emphasis
is currently on commercialization - with participation
from various stakeholders in power generation from solar,
and biomass combustion / gasification, rural electrification
through the bio-diesel route as well as setting up ethanol
production facilities.
At another level, WII works closely with multilateral banks and policymakers to set in place institutions, institutional mechanisms, policies and funds that promote renewable energy.
One of the main areas of strength of WII has been renewable energy enterprise development by addressing barriers confronting renewable energy use. A step in this direction has been to develop a market for solar photovoltaic systems by improving entrepreneurs’ access to finance and credit services.
WII collaborates with business enterprises, identifies business opportunities for them, offers management and technical support, addresses enterprise financing issues and sets them on path to sustainable renewable energy business.
Further, renewable energy technologies
have begun to emerge as an attractive, and sometimes
the only option to provide light and power to un-electrified
areas, which are too remote for grid extension. Moreover,
with increased international concerns to reduce greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions, developed countries seek to meet
their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol by switching
to energy efficiency and renewable energy and investing
in this area in developing countries.
Studies on lessons learned and best practices; peer exchange with neighboring countries; and exposure visits and capacity building initiatives in South Asian countries such as Cambodia and Sri Lanka, and in Latin America, enable E&E to share experiences across countries.
WII has been providing technical consultancy services, assisting transfer of technologies, set up manufacturing plants and projects.
WII continues to serve the renewable-energy community with its financing initiatives to promote these technologies. Under one of the financing initiatives, WII infused Rs 20 million to support the growth of the sector by providing long-term loans at attractive rates.
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