“There has been a 24% increase in the demand for power in the state from a time when per capita consumption was one of the lowest in the country. Assam has initiated several initiatives and is planning several policy level interventions to boost the supply”, said Shri Pradyut Bordoloi, Hon’ble Minister, Power, Industries & Commerce and Public Enterprise inaugurating the North East Energy Conclave – Leveraging opportunities being organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry on 16th December 2011 at Guwahati. Formulation of a Renewable Energy support policy, Captive Power policy and bidding for a Oil block in upper Assam are few steps in that direction. He added that opportunity exists in various sectors for development of this sector but there has to be a judicious balance on achieving the energy security and maintaining the environmental concerns.
The two day conclave is been specifically structured to provide a platform to discuss, debate and share information on the outlook and opportunities vis-à-vis the infrastructural and policy imperatives for investment in the Energy Sector in the North East.
Mr Nayan Mani Borah, Chairman, CII North East Council & CMD, Oil India Ltd giving an overview of the Energy scenario of the region said that the challenges posed by the NELP has posed challenges but also made the home grown companies competitive. Imploring on the need for technology intervention on reaching newer horizons of exploration he said that – we are not running out of oil, we are running out of Ideas. Exploration opportunities coupled with advancement in technology will help the region in bridging the demand supply gap.
Earlier in his welcome address Mr Dipak Chakravarty, Chairman, CII Assam State Council & MD, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd North East with its huge repository of energy inputs portfolio, including hydrocarbons and water resource, will have a huge role to play and would emerge as the powerhouse of thriving India. Mr Chakravarty said that in the region crude oil production is going up steadily, but the pertinent challenge is venturing into un-ventured areas.
The programme will be attended by important luminaries from the Central and State government, including Mr Alok Perti, Secretary, Coal, Govt of India, regulators like Mr Ratan Wattal, Secretary, PNGRB, DGH, participation of states including Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, etc. policy makers, public & private sector companies including OIL, HPCL, NRL, NEEPCO, ONGC, NHPC, Jubilant Energy, Voith Hydro, etc, academia have converged for the two day Conclave.
Focusing on Hydropower, Hydrocarbon, Alternate Energy and Emission Trading, the objective of the Conclave is to discuss the present exploration, generation and distribution policies of Central and North Eastern State Governments, understand critical policy interventions required for optimization, exploration, evacuation, production and transmission of energy resources, and comprehend ways and means to promote, spread, and increase investment and entrepreneurship development in alternate on renewable energy in the North East.