The Union Minister of New & Renewable Energy and Power, R K Singh, on Saturday, assured India’s full cooperation to the Maldives, in its efforts to promote renewable projects.
While speaking at a country session of Maldives during 3rd Global Re-Invest Summit, Singh said India has also prioritised to have its two islands fully on green energy Islands.
He further stated that India has set the target for Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands to become 100% green -meaning their energy needs should totally be met from Renewable Energy.
Singh also reiterated that India is one of very few countries to have met its commitment of keeping climate change within 2%. He also said that India has installed about 136000 MW of RE capacity with capacity addition of another 57000 MW under implementation.
Singh also informed that India has a robust energy efficiency programme under which more than 11 million LED street lights have been installed, adding, “you will have to work very hard find a bulb which is not LED.”
He also said reducing CO2 emission with the addition of more green energy resources was high on India’s priorities. The minister further added that the Maldives, being a beautiful country, needs to maintain and enhance its beauty as an attractive tourist destination. “it is absolutely essential that renewable energy is given centrality in the Maldives,” he said.
“We have not had to invest, adding that the investments have come from across the world. We have a setup, he added, mechanism to resolve issues, removing hurdles in project execution through a group in RE MinIstry, payment security, separate/neutral body to decide if there are contract disputes. All that has helped, he said.
The Minister further said that for India, the environment is an article of faith. “Therefore we are taking steps to reduce our carbon Footprints,” he added.
He further said that our target is now to achieve 450 GW or 4,50,000 MW RE capacity by 2030. He emphasised that renewable energy is a must not only India’s Island States, but also for the world.
“This realisation has dawned on everybody that we need to reduce our carbon footprints to preserve the planet. He echoed the sentiments that Island States/territories are more vulnerable to global warming,” he said.