India has made significant progress in green energy and remains committed to collaborating with the global community for a sustainable future, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.
PM Modi emphasized India’s “clearer approach” and the “remarkable growth of solar energy” during his virtual address to the inaugural International Solar Festival in the national capital as key factors in the country becoming the first “G20 Nation to meet the Paris commitments in renewable energy.”
“Our solar energy capacity has increased 32-fold in the last 10 years. This remarkable speed and scale will also support our goal of achieving 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030,” he emphasized.
The Prime Minister outlined the mantra for promoting global solar adoption: “awareness, availability, and affordability.” He stressed the importance of raising “awareness about the necessity of sustainable energy sources” and increasing “availability by promoting domestic manufacturing in the solar sector.”
PM Modi also urged the development of specific policies and incentives to make solar energy options more affordable for the public.
He used the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which launched in February in India to provide free electricity to households, as an example.
“We are investing ₹750 billion ( $8.9 Billions) in this initiative. Our aim is to help 10 million households install their own rooftop solar panels,” PM Modi explained.
He also mentioned that in order to promote the use of solar energy, citizens are receiving “financial assistance, as well as low-interest, collateral-free loans.”
These households are not only generating clean electricity but are also selling any excess power back to the grid, thereby earning money, he added.
Launched in 2015, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) organized the International Solar Festival. The ISA has now achieved the milestone of gaining participation from over 100 countries, with an additional 19 countries in the process of ratifying the framework agreement to attain full membership.
“The International Solar Festival unites the world to celebrate the sun’s impact. It is a festival that will help us work toward building a better planet,” the Prime Minister stated.
He also praised the ISA for its work in helping 44 countries develop infrastructure to generate nearly 10 gigawatts of electricity.
“India will support every effort to build an inclusive, clean, and green planet,” PM Modi concluded.
