1st International Solar Alliance Summit kicks off in New Delhi
AMN / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for concessional and less-risky finances for raising the share of solar electricity in the energy mix. He pledged to generate 175 gigawatts of electricity in India from renewable energy sources by 2022.
Speaking at the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi today Prime Minister in presense and French President Emmanuel Macron, said 500 training slots will be created for member countries and a solar technology mission will be started to lead R&D in the sector. He added that to supplement solar energy generation, India has distributed 28 crore LED bulbs in the last three years which have helped save 2 billion US dollars and 4 gigawatts of electricity.
The Prime Minister presented a 10-point action plan that includes making affordable solar technology available to all nations, framing regulations and standards, consultancy support for bankable solar projects and creating a network of centres for excellence. He said, solar energy presents a permanent, affordable and reliable source for meeting the energy needs of mankind.
In his address, Mr Macron said, while the world has taken great strides in understanding the importance of solar energy, much still needs to be done. He asked the visiting dignitaries to make concrete announcements on what they are doing to generate solar energy in their countries.
In her welcome address, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, ISA is not only a testament to India’s unwavering faith in multilateralism but also a commitment for a better, sustainable and greener future. She said, India has provided support worth 27 million dollars towards hosting the ISA secretariat and has created an ISA corpus fund.
Earlier, 61 countries signed and 32 ratified the ISA Framework Agreement which is a reflection of common desire to significantly augment harnessing of solar energy, make joint efforts towards development and mobilize investment in the solar sector.
The day-long conference is deliberating upon finance mechanism for the promotion of solar energy, crowd-funding and technology transfer. It is being attended by heads of 23 nations and 10 ministerial representatives of different countries.
United Nations dignitaries, Presidents of multilateral development banks and global funds and financial institutions and energy-related institutions are also attending the conference.
International Solar Alliance Summit kicked off today at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, along with several heads of States, symbolically launched the alliance. The alliance aims at promoting solar energy and reduction in the use of fossil fuels in energy-rich countries.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi received the heads of the various countries who are participating in the summit. In the association of 121 countries, 61 countries signed and 32 ratified the ISA Framework Agreement which is a reflection of common desire to significantly augment harnessing of solar energy, make joint efforts towards development and mobilize investment in the solar sector.
Today’s summit focus is on various projects being prepared by different countries in areas including rural electrification, off grid solar power, water supply and irrigation.