At solar meet, PM Modi's 10-point action plan

NEW DELHI: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron co-hosted the first edition of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday, the spotlight was on India which is being viewed as a critical player in tapping solar energy.

Modi, the chief architect of ISA that seeks to bring together 121 nations, presented 10 action points including making affordable solar technology available to all nations, raising the share of electricity generated from photovoltaic cells in the energy mix and framing regulations and standards to support the initiative.

He said better and cheaper solar technology should be easily available to all nations. "We have to increase the share of solar in the energy mix," he said.

Also, innovation has to be encouraged to provide solutions to different needs. "We have to provide concessional financing and less-risky funds for solar projects," he said.

The ISA's significant objectives include global deployment of over 1,000 GW of solar generation capacity and mobilisation of investment of over USD 1 trillion into solar energy by 2030.

Regulatory aspects, as well as standards, have to be framed which will expedite adoption of solar solutions, Modi said, adding that consultancy support has to be developed for putting up bankable solar projects in developing countries.

Stressing on inclusiveness, he said a vast network of centres of excellence has to be created.

Solar energy policy has to be to look at in totality for development so that it can contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs), he said. "We have to strengthen ISA Secretariat and make it more professional."

Modi called for rising above narrow private goals to make a collective effort for the betterment of the mankind.

He said India had launched the "world's biggest renewable energy programme with a target to generate 175 GW of electricity from renewable sources."

Of these, 100 GW is to come from solar and 60 GW from the wind. "Of the target for solar energy generation, we have already achieved 20 GW installed solar power," he said.

India needs some USD 83 billion between FY2018 and FY2022 to meet its 175 GW target, according to industry estimates.

Electricity from renewable sources is cheap, reliable and clean. Besides providing an alternative to polluting coal-based electricity generation, photovoltaic (PV) has big potential to power irrigation and reduce the use of backup diesel generators.

At present, the country's renewable energy installed capacity is 63 GW. Solar and wind power tariffs have dropped to an all-time low of Rs 2.44 per unit and Rs 3.46 per unit, among the lowest in the world.

China is targeting over 360 GW of renewable capacity generation during the period.

As a demonstration of India's commitment to ISA, Modi said 500 training slots would be created for member countries, and a solar technology mission will be started to lead R&D in the sector.

To supplement solar energy generation, India has distributed 28 crore LED bulbs in the last three years which have helped save USD 2 billion and 4 GW of electricity, the prime minister said.

ISA, headquartered in Gurgaon near here, is now a treaty-based inter-governmental organisation that was established following the Paris Declaration as an alliance dedicated to the promotion of solar energy among its member countries. The PM said of the 121 countries associated with ISA, 61 have joined the alliance, and 32 have ratified the Framework Agreement. See also P7&12