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India’s energy efficiency and renewable energy potential: policies and programs

This report accepts the premise that most energy efficiency technologies are cost effective and wind generation technology are lowest cost renewable energy sources, and that their implementation is hampered by institutional, procedural, and process barriers. This is not unique to India. There are lessons to be learnt from other developed and developing countries, such as the US and China, in understanding ways that energy efficiency and renewable energy could be promoted in the Indian market environment. The main goal of this report is to document approaches that ensure that public policy and programs work with market forces and businesses for implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy (EERE). The paper does not attempt to provide a comprehensive review, but it highlights selected ongoing policies and programs that are overcoming barriers in the buildings, industrial and power sectors, and notes key issues that need to be addressed for their replication in India.