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India commits to 50% non-fossil power by 2030

Prime Minister Modi said India has shown leadership in climate action and achieved its non-fossil installed electric capacity target nine years in advance, reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that India would achieve the target of generating 50% of its electricity from non-fossil fuels by 2030 as part of the stepped up war against climate change.

Addressing the G20 Energy Ministers meeting in Goa via video on Saturday, the Prime Minister said India has shown leadership in climate action and achieved its non-fossil installed electric capacity target nine years in advance.

He pointed out that India is among the global leaders in solar and wind power and is making great efforts in green growth and energy transition.

“For decarbonizing India, we are working on a mission mode on Green Hydrogen as an alternative. The aim is to make India a global hub for the production, use, and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. We are happy to share our learnings,” PM Modi said.

India is the most populated nation and the fastest-growing large economy in the world yet the country is moving strongly on its climate commitments, the Prime Minister pointed out.

PM Modi said that the world looks to the G20 countries to advance sustainable, just, affordable, inclusive, and clean energy transition and urged the ministers to ensure that the Global South is not left behind.

“We must ensure low-cost finance for developing countries. We must find ways to bridge technology gaps, promote energy security, and work on diversifying supply chains. And, we must strengthen collaboration on fuels for the future,” PM Modi said.

“The High-level Principles on Hydrogen are a step in the right direction. Transnational grid interconnections can enhance energy security. We are promoting this mutually beneficial cooperation with our neighbours in this region. And I can tell you, we are seeing encouraging results. Realizing the vision of inter-connected green grids can be transforming,” the Prime minister explained.

“It will enable all of us to meet our climate goals, stimulate green investment, and create millions of green jobs. I invite you all to join the Green Grids Initiative – ”One Sun, One World, One Grid of the International Solar Alliance,” he remarked.

PM Modi also highlighted the fact that caring for the environment was part of India’s culture and traditional wisdom. He emphasised his vision of Mission LiFE which is a Lifestyle for Environment that will make each individual a climate champion and the fight against global warming a mass movement.

“No matter how we transition, our thoughts and actions must always help preserve our ”One Earth”, protect the interests of our ”One Family”, and move towards a Green One Future.” PM Modi remarked.

Highlighting the other measures that have been undertaken to reduce India’s carbon footprint, the Prime Minister said more than 119 million families in the country have got LPG connections in the last nine years. “We have also achieved the historic milestone of connecting every village to electricity,” he said.

“In 2015, we began a small movement, by launching a scheme for the use of LED lights, this became the largest LED distribution programme in the world. Saving more than 45 billion units of energy per year,” the prime minister said.

He said that India’s domestic electrical vehicle market is projected to reach 10 million units of annual sales by 2030.

“We have commenced the rollout of 20 per cent ethanol blended petrol this year. Our aim is to cover the entire country by 2025,” he said.

Energy Ministers from G20 member countries, nine invited countries and high-ranking officials from 14 international organizations are attending the Ministerial meeting In Goa under India’s presidency.

(India Narrative)

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India aligns green energy push with G20 Presidency

The government announced an outlay of Rs 19,700 crore for the recently launched National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Keeping pace with the green energy focus of the world and reducing its carbon intensity, India has planned big for the green energy sector in its financial budget.

The government announced a slew of measures for the initiatives related to green fuel, green farming, green mobility, green buildings, and green equipment. Also since India has an ongoing G20 Presidency, its focus on green energy will have a better impact.

The government announced an outlay of Rs 19,700 crore for the recently launched National Green Hydrogen Mission, which it said will facilitate the transition of the economy to low carbon intensity, reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports and make the country “assume technology and market leadership in this sunrise sector”.

It has a target of the annual production of 500 MMT (million metric tonnes) of green hydrogen by 2030, reported The Hindu.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget 2023-24 in the Lok Sabha, in New Delhi,on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Photo:IANS/Sansad TV)

“The Union Budget presents a positive outlook for the renewable energy sector in India. The allocation of Rs 35,000 crore towards the green energy transition is a step in the right direction and demonstrates the nation’s will for a sustainable future,” commented Girish R Tanti, Vice Chairman, Suzlon Energy.

“The government’s commitment to increasing the use of renewable energy in the country is commendable and will play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the impact of climate change. The National Green Hydrogen Mission will complement our efforts towards net zero,” he said.

The budget provides Rs 35,000 crores for priority capital investment toward energy transition, net zero objectives, and energy security the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Industry body ASSOCHAM’s Secretary General Deepak Sood said, “Boost to transition through definite programmes for financing green energy with the help of flagship programmes like National Green Hydrogen Mission, grid integration of the renewable energy and promoting electrification of the automobile industry are the ‘stand out features of the Budget'”.

India’s energy demand is expected to increase more than that of any other country in the coming decades due to its sheer size and enormous potential for growth and development.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Denmark counterpart review Green Strategic Partnership.

Therefore, it is imperative that most of this new energy demand is met by low-carbon, renewable sources. India’s announcement India that it intends to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and to meet 50 per cent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030 marks a historic point in the global effort to combat climate change.

The Indian renewable energy sector is the fourth most attractive renewable energy market in the world. India was ranked fourth in wind power, fifth in solar power and fourth in renewable power installed capacity, as of 2020.

Installed renewable power generation capacity has gained pace over the past few years, posting a CAGR of 15.92 per cent between FY16-22. India is the market with the fastest growth in renewable electricity, and by 2026, new capacity additions are expected to double, according to India Brand Equity Foundation.

“With India holding the Presidency of the G20 till Nov 2023, the focus on adopting green energy, and efforts to enhance BioCNG bodes well. We are pleased with the focus that the Budget has had for our industry, in particular, esp. from the point of view of scrapping old/polluting vehicles, stressing the need to segregate waste and more importantly make and prep the cities to raise funds from the Municipal Bond market. The main theme reiterates the Country’s focus on adopting sustainable technologies, and higher focus on generating green energy,” said Jose Jacob Managing Director of Antony Waste Handling Cell.

PM Modi receives traditional welcome during his visit to Nagpur, in Maharashtra (PIB)

As of October 2022, India’s installed renewable energy capacity (including hydro) stood at 165.94 GW, representing 40.6 per cent of the overall installed power capacity.

The country is targeting about 450 Gigawatt (GW) of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030 – about 280 GW (over 60 per cent) is expected from solar. (ANI)

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SPECIAL: Indian Airports Go Eco Way

 India aims to reach net zero emissions by 2070 and several Indian airports are switching to green energy and the Centre has kept a target of turning 90 airports into carbon neutral by 2024

India is going big on its commitment regarding net zero emission and switching as fast as possible to green energy in every sphere of business. In tune with this mission, several Indian airports are switching to green energy and the Centre has kept a target of turning 90 airports into carbon neutral by 2024.

  India aims to reach net zero emissions by 2070. In June this year, the international airport in New Delhi adopted green energy, using only hydro and solar power for all its energy needs.

Solar panel fields at Kochi airport

  The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Infrastructure Limited-led (GIL) consortium, which manages and operates the Delhi airport, has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with a Himachal Pradesh-based hydropower producing company for the supply of hydroelectricity for the airport until 2036.

 Since June 1, the Delhi airport has adopted renewable energy use from the hydropower plant for its demand of the remaining 94 per cent, thus ending its dependency on non-renewable power. This move will help Delhi airport in the reduction of indirect energy emissions of a whopping 200,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.

 Besides, DIAL has a 7.84 MW solar power plant on the airside, whereas as part of stakeholder collaboration, operators of the Cargo terminals at the airport have added another 5.3 MW rooftop solar power plant.

Working to make the aviation sector environment-friendly, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently informed that by 2024, more than 90 airports in the country will be carbon neutral.

The minister also added that the number of airports will also be increased from the current strength of 141 to 220 by next year.

 Cochin International Airport became the first ‘green airport’ in the world, for which it was awarded the ‘Champions of Earth’ award in 2018, which is the United Nations’ highest environmental honour.  The airport fully operates on solar power, which meets all its electricity requirements. This is no small feat as the Cochin airport stands to be one of the most important airports for not just India, but also the rest of the world. It is the largest airport in Kerala and the seventh largest in India in terms of passenger handling.

 It is also the first-ever airport in India to be developed under public-private partnership. Installing the first solar photovoltaic power station plant on the rooftop of the arrival terminal block way back in 2013 turned out to be trendsetter. Since then, it has not looked back, adding several more solar power units to maximise energy production and produce enough for all its needs.

  Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has entirely switched to green sources for its energy consumption needs, making it one of India’s 100 per cent sustainable airports.

 The CSMIA was the first in India to launch hybrid technology that solely runs on green energy since April 2022. This sustainable initiative undertaken by the CSMIA is part of the airport’s efforts that reduces its carbon footprint and further propels its journey towards net zero emissions.

 Out of the total 100 per cent needs, the CSMIA procures around 5 per cent of the airport’s electricity requirement through its onsite solar generation and the rest 95 per cent from other green sources such as hydro and wind energy.

 The CSMIA witnessed a rise in natural energy procurement with 57 per cent green consumption in April 2022 to a whopping 98 per cent between May and July. And, finally, attained the landmark 100 per cent utilisation of renewable sources of energy in August 2022, a national daily reported.

  A transition to clean energy is a huge economic opportunity. India is particularly well-placed to become a global leader in renewable batteries and green hydrogen.

 These and other low-carbon technologies could create a market worth up to $80 billion in India by 2030. Support from the international community is essential to help shift India’s development onto a low-carbon path, a paper in International Energy Agency stated.