**Summary:**
In response to a parliamentary inquiry regarding the promotion of green energy for fishing boats, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) stated that it does not currently have a specific scheme to support this initiative. However, the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Environment and Education (CSEE), has developed a detailed design for optimizing solar energy capture on fishing boats, considering structural stability, minimal shading, and real-time monitoring of electrical and performance parameters for system efficiency evaluation.
The Government of Kerala (GoK) has decided to subsidize Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) kits for traditional fishing engines, following a successful pilot project. The GoK has granted administrative sanction for converting 500 conventional kerosene engine fishing vessels to LPG.
The Government of Tamil Nadu has also introduced a scheme to phase out kerosene-operated Marine Outboard Motors (OBM) with LPG under the "Greening Marine Fisheries" initiative. This project, estimated at Rs. 1.90 crore, aims to replace 175 kerosene-driven engines in the coastal districts of Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari during the year 2024-25.
The Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power is Shri Shripad Yesso Naik.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy: The Indian government ministry responsible for new and renewable energy.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
National Institute of Solar Energy: An autonomous institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, involved in solar energy research and development.
Centre for Sustainable Environment and Education: Collaborator with NISE in developing designs for solar energy capture on fishing boats.
Kerala: A state in India that proposed a pilot project to replace kerosene engines with LPG kits in fishing boats and is providing subsidized LPG kits.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India that introduced a scheme to phase out kerosene operated Marine Outboard Motors with LPG.
Liquified Petroleum Gas: A fuel being considered as a replacement for kerosene in fishing boat engines.
Greening Marine Fisheries: The name of the scheme introduced by the Government of Tamil Nadu to phase out kerosene operated Marine Outboard Motors (OBM) with LPG.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1645
ANSWERED ON 30/07/2025
GREEN ENERGY FOR FISHING BOATS
1645. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH
Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any proposal to promote the use of green energy for fishing
boats;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government would consider the same in future;
(d) whether the Government is aware of the pilot project proposed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu
to replace kerosene engines in fishing boats with LPG kits and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government would consider financial assistance to the said States for the
implementation of such environment friendly projects and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a)to(c) Presently, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is not implementing any
scheme to support use of green energy for fishing boats. However, National Institute of Solar
Energy (NISE) in collaboration with Centre for Sustainable Environment and Education
(CSEE) has developed detailed design ensuring optimal solar energy capture with structural
stability and minimal shading on the boat. Key electrical and performance parameters for both
solar and battery systems have been identified for real-time monitoring and system efficiency
evaluation.
(d) & (e) As per inputs received, the Government of Kerala (GoK) has decided to provide
subsidized Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) kits for running traditional fishing engines with
LPG. A pilot project for the same has been implemented successfully. The GoK has accorded
administrative sanction for converting 500 conventional fishing vessels using kerosene engines
to LPG engines.
The Government of Tamil Nadu has also introduced a new scheme to phase out the usage of
kerosene operated Marine Outboard Motors (OBM) with LPG under “Greening Marine
Fisheries” at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.90 crore in three coastal districts of Tamil Nadu
(Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari) during the year 2024-25 for 175 kerosene
driven engine replacement.
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