Studies conducted by the World Institute of Sustainable Energy(WISE), Pune, a UK government funded organisation working in the renewable energy area, has reported that Karnataka has a high renewable energy (RE) potential. The potential is for more than 28 GW, of which only 3.45 GW has been tapped till November 2011.
Karnataka's RE base of 3.45 GW includes 1,929 MW of wind, 86 MW of biomass, 782 MW of bagasse co-generation, 646 MW of small hydro and 9 MW of solar. Wind offers the maximum potential, with an untapped capacity of 11 GW. The huge untapped RE potential also creates an investment opportunity.
Significant potential also exists for solar, small hydro, bagasse co-generation and biomass sectors. Under the state's RE Policy, it is estimated that by 2014, there will be a generation of 6,600 MW of renewable electricity. The Renewable Purchase Specification in the state is for of 7%-10%.
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