Inaugurating a two-day international workshop on `R&D challenges in carbon capture and storage technology for sustainable energy future' organised by the ministry and National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), he said the electricity policy was emphatic on fully exploiting non-conventional energy sources, mainly small hydro, wind and bio-mass. Gas was also a good resource of energy.

In a paper, Mr. Shahi said, "We are trying to fully harness our hydroelectric potential that is an estimated 1,50,000 MW." He noted that continued use of fossil fuels to meet energy needs had raised concerns about climate change, particularly global warming.

The country was focussed on such clean coal technologies that were fuel-efficient and cost effective. The per capita CO2 emission in the country was around one tonne against the world average of four tonnes and 19 tonnes in some developed countries.

Mr. Shahi said there was urgency for massive priority to produce energy conservation gadgets in view of the transmission and distribution losses. There was need to network the concerned agencies for achieving cost-effective power production from various sources, including non-conventional ones.

Malti Goel, adviser, Science and Technology, Peter McGrail from US, Harsh Gupta, Raja Ramanna Fellow of NGRI, R.R. Sonde, senior NTPC executive, Dedorah Petterson, First Secretary (energy and environment), British High Commission, spoke.

Earlier, B. Kumar, NGRI project consultant, welcomed the gathering, which included delegates from eight countries.