Clean Energy Push

[Nicky G]

Clean energy push: Drop in solar power cost a game changer, says PM Narendra Modi

At the inauguration of a three day global conference, RE-Invest 2015, Modi on Sunday described the thrust on renewable energy production as an effort to ensure universal energy access for India's poor. He said the price of solar energy has tumbled from Rs 20 a unit to Rs 7, bringing it close to conventional power. He recalled that as Gujarat chief minister he persisted with the solar power programme even as people found it scandalous that it was generated at Rs 20 a unit, but added that price of solar energy has tumbled from Rs 20 a unit to Rs 7, bringing it close to conventional power. He recalled that as Gujarat chief minister he persisted with the solar power programme even as people found it scandalous that it was generated at Rs 20 a unit, but added that prices started falling as the industry scaled up. "Now prices are in the direction of conventional electricity. This is a game changer," he said.

"We have always spoken of energy in terms of megawatt. It is the first time we're talking of gigawatt. We have no option but to make a quantum leap in energy production and connectivity," Modi said, addressing a gathering of 2,000 delegates from India and 40 other countries.

In November last year, the government set an ambitious target of setting up 170 gigawatt of wind, solar and biomass power projects by 2022. Modi talked about India working to evolve an alliance of about 50 countries with abundant sunshine to pool research and technological advancements in the field of solar energy with an aim to make power accessible to the poorest of the poor and in remotest locations. He also said that India's stress on renewable energy is not aimed at impressing the world but to meet its own energy requirements.

This is good, particularly if power form solar and other renewable energy sources becomes as cheap as that from conventional sources. There are some really good sounds coming in terms of solar power in particular.

We will need still need coal and nuclear considering most of our power is generated from the former, but a shift towards cheap, clean and renewable energy could have great impact for a developing power hungry economy such as India.

Sates really need to get on the act and try to gain a lead in this ever expanding pie. Thus, far MP, Rajasthan, Gujrat seem to be doing well.

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