Solar Energy The Most Viable Option To Achieve Universal Access to Sustainable Energy: R K Singh

Shri R.K. Singh Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy and the President of International Solar Alliance said, Solar energy, in particular, is now the most viable option to achieve universal access to sustainable energy due to its affordability and amenability to off-grid solutions. It is the most viable option for us to rapidly de-carbonize our energy sectors.

In his opening address at the inaugural ceremony of the ISA General Assembly where 106 countries are participating in the discussions, Shri Singh said that adoption of renewable energy has gained significant momentum since the turn of the past decade.

India has made rapid strides in the solar energy sector over past few years and rapid capacity addition is a testament to India’s commitment to clean and affordable solar energy. India has target to reach 450 GW of RE by 2030.We have 154 GW of installed non fossil generation capacity and another 67 GW under construction. India’s non-fossil fuel based capacity is on-track to surpass the 40 % target under the India’s NDC, he said.

He emphasized that Solving the problem of energy access is very important. The ISA can enable energy access for 800 million people who lack energy access, worldwide.

Shri Singh called upon the world to work together and to enable ISA to make energy access available to all using solar and renewable energy.

“It is really terrific to see India leading the ISA. India is a close partner and the United States strongly supports India’s goal of reaching 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030. We believe that it’s absolutely doable and will be done. India has already set an example for emerging economies by reaching 100GW of renewables. What India has demonstrated with its low-cost solar auctions and build out of the transmission grids and massive solar parts program and other innovative policy tools can be replicated all over the world,” said John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change, United States.

He futher said Harnessing the full value of solar energy will require countries to invest in storage, in grid infrastructure and in flexibility in both demand and supply. And to connect solar power with parts of the economy that don’t currently use electricity, countries must invest in electric vehicles and clean fuels like hydrogen that can be produced.