Energy sector needs to be given priority, says Farooq Abdullah

New Delhi, Feb.11 (ANI): Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah on Thursday that there is need to consider energy sector in priority sector.

Speaking at an ongoing two-day wind energy conference, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that New and Renewable Energy sector would feature high on government's agenda.

"It should be given priority. I don't think this is not a priority sector, it is a priority sector. Those banks that don't believe this is a priority sector, I think those managers ought to be brought in to understand that renewable energy is essential," said Abdullah.

The conference is underway in the national capital to boost and promote India's wind energy sector.

The minister added that India was seeking to go beyond wind and tap other sources of renewable energy.

"We have to remember to integrate all these renewable energies together. We should have wind, we should have solar, we should have solar and we should...these things. Where there is wind, we use wind energy," said Abdullah.

According to the Global Wind Energy Council, wind power capacity across the world grew by 31 percent in 2009, taking the total installed capacity to 157,899 megawatts (MW).

China led the pack followed by the United States, Spain and Germany.

China added 13,000 MW of wind power capacity to bring the total installed capacity to 25,104 MW.

With a total of 10,926 MW, India occupied the fifth slot adding 1,271 MW.

India is looking to boost the potential of its wind energy sector.

The 'Wind Energy: 20 by 2020' conference was inaugurated in the national capital on Thursday (February 11). The conference, which ends on Friday (February 12), is being attended by over 200 delegates from across the globe. (ANI)