What is India's potential in generating power through renewable energy sources and how much is harnessed till now? 
Renewables in India presently contribute about 5,700 mw, which represents about five per cent of the total installed power generating capacity from all non-conventional sources as shown in the table. Potential of power generation from renewable sources is about 1 lakh megawatt (not considering solar photovoltaic).
Power generation through non-conventional energy sources is costlier than conventional energy sources. Comment. 
Conventional power is apparently cheaper because of the hidden subsidies enjoyed by it; the cost of environmental externalities like pollution caused by them have not been internalised in the pricing of power; and the pool price from old and new generating stations when averaged works out less. Power from new thermal power stations would be more expensive than renewable power. The variable cost of fossil fuels like coal and gas will only go up in future because of their impending depletion and shortage. 
Power from renewables is definitely cheaper if you consider the following: 
i) Their environmental benefits ii) You follow a lifecycle costing methodology for at least 20 years. The initial cost during debt period may look higher. But over a 20-year period, renewable power would be much cheaper than conventional power because there is no variable fuel cost. In Europe, customers voluntarily pay a higher price for green power, considering its environmental benefits; and iii) Low maintenance cost. 
What needs to be done to popularise power generation through renewable sources in India? Is there a need for a separate law for the renewable energy sector? 
Prima facie, India does have a conducive policy environment for development of renewables. The Electricity Act, 2003 does have enabling provisions like Section 86 (I) (e) to promote renewables. However, a general consensus has to develop among policy makers, regulators, utilities and consumers that renewable power need to be developed for future energy security (considering impending depletion of fossil fuels) and environmental security. A separate law for renewable sector, as was done by China recently, would also be helpful.
What role will non-conventional energy sources play in the post-Kyoto Protocol world?
Renewables are the future of the energy sector. Kyoto Protocol and the Clean Development Mechanism will help the development of renewables. The truth is that in a post-fossil fuel world, our only energy option would be renewables. A post-fossil fuel world is only 30 to 40 years away. That is too soon! 
What role can renewable energy sources play in rural electrification? 
Definitely. In the 18,000 inaccessible villages of India, where the grid cannot reach, renewables would be the only option for providing energy. Even in other villages, decentralised generation based on renewable technologies would help not only in solving energy problems, but also in generating employment, creating infrastructure and economic development.
What are the latest technologies and innovations in this sector?
Maximum research innovation is taking in development of fuels cells. They have varied applications ranging from transportation to providing captive electricity to buildings. Wind power has seen major advances in technology development. Globally, 5-mw single turbine prototypes have been tested and installed. Solar concentrating technology offers major hope for a variety of applications ranging from thermal uses, production of electricity and industrial furnaces. Many other new technologies to harness wave and tidal energy, more efficient uses of biomass etc. are under development. The next few years will see large-scale commercialisation of many of these new technologies.
Do foreign investors find India an attractive destination for renewable energy? 
Foreign investors do find India as an alternative destination for renewable development. The main reasons are trained manpower, lower wages, easy raw material availability and large market potential. 
What is the extent of foreign investment in this sector? 
Exact figures for foreign investment in the sector are not available. All major global manufacturers of wind turbines have begun operations from India. The solar energy divisions of Shell called Shell Solar have recently set up shop near Bangalore. 
What is the status of foreign countries in harnessing power from renewable energy sources? 
The developed countries are racing ahead in development and deployment of these new energy technologies. Wind power is leading the race with global installation of 47,317 mw as on December 31, 2004. The annual rate of growth of the wind power industry is around 30 per cent. By the end of 2003 more than 2,400 mw of solar photovoltaic power was installed worldwide. Solar photovoltaic grew 62 per cent in 2004, with annual installations of 927 mw. In the area of transportation energy, states like California in the USA have mandated use of fuel cell and electric cars by certain percentage and time frame.
What are your institute's future plans?
WISE is taking up many research projects aimed at generating knowledge about the real status of the energy sector, from a futuristic point of view. Conventional knowledge is misleading for the future. We intend to generate real knowledge. We plan to start human resource development for the sector from next year. We will be offering long-term and short-term training. We are also building up a huge communication effort to bridge the knowledge gap in various strata of society. To this end, we are publishing a newsletter titled Green Energy World circulated to 5,000 institutions and individuals. This newsletter will be upgraded to a magazine by the end of 2005. We have also begun "WISE Press" for publishing cutting-edge books on various aspects of renewable energy development. We recently completed a training programme for journalists, sponsored by the Union Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources. This was the first in a series; planned to be completed in the next one year. Gradually, we will also take up pilot demonstration projects of new and emerging technologies.