Thongdak advocates for sustainable energy

"Energy efficiency and renewable energy are said to be the twin pillars of sustainable energy and sustainable energy is the sustainable provision of energy that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs," he said during a day-long seminar here today.

Technologies that promote sustainable energy include renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, solar energy, wind energy, wave power, tidal power and also technologies designed to improve energy efficiency, Thongdak said.

He said that the reserves of coal, oil and natural gas are limited and they do not regenerate. Hence such energies could be used only as long as they last and their emissions cannot be absorbed by nature.

Consequently, none of these energy sources can satisfy both sustainability criteria. Therefore, the sustainability criteria are best satisfied by solar, wind, wave and most hydro-power options, he added.

Arunachal Pradesh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (APSERC) chairman, Digvijay Nath deliberating in the seminar said that other options help to meet the sustainability goals were energy savings and increase energy efficiency.

The seminar was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in association with Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (APEDA) and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO).