Mumbai: Highlighting the importance of energy in ensuring India's development, President A P J Abdul Kalam on July 8 said renewable energy resources like nuclear and solar have to be harnessed in a big way.

"The current sources of energy such as oil and coal will deplete in the next 70 to 100 years and hence we have to look at renewable resources," Kalam said inaugurating a symposium on "Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development" organised by Indira Gandhi Institute of Developmental Research (IGIDR).

"There is tremendous hesitation in adopting nuclear and solar energy and we have to consider setting up large scale solar power stations having over 500 mw capacity," he said.

The soaring demand for power in the country would lead to tripling of power generation at 3,00,000 MW in two decades, Kalam said.

Energy was also crucial for development and removal of poverty in the country, which has about 260 million people living below the poverty line, he said.

The President said in order to achieve gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of nine to 10 per cent, the country had to focus on agriculture and food processing, education and health, communication and IT, infrastructure development and self-reliance and critical technology.

Out of the existing power generation of 1,00,000 MW, almost 40 per cent was not available to consumers due to transmission losses, theft and mismanagement, he said.

Better utilisation of the system has to be ensured before establishing the plant Kalam said adding that power distribution was also an important aspect.

PTI