'Cost reduction necessary to promote solar energy'

Bangalore, Apr 1: Stressing on the need to reduce cost to promote solar power, B K Chaturvedi, member of Energy Planning Commission said that cost reduction should be supported by necessary guidelines so that expansion of solar program can be accelerated and sustainable development of manufacturing capacity can take place.

Speaking at the Interactive Session on 'Implementing Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission' organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Ministry of Power, Chaturvedi stressed on the adoption of a adequate advanced technology to alter the energy mix in India.

Chaturvedi made the statements during his inaugural address on 1 Apr 2010 in New Delhi during the launch of the first phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM).

Emphasizing the importance of solar energy, Deepak Gupta, Secretary Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in his kernote address highlighted on the importance of mobilizing finance, need for technical knowledge and long term project planning.

Echoing Chaturvedi's words, Gupta said that cost reduction through quantity deployment of technology, along with development of a domestic manufacturing base and an aggressive R&D efforts was necessary to achieve parity for solar energy.

In order to support JNNSM, MRNE has built up international linkages and established centers of excellence.

Gupta said that MRNE would work in close collaboration with the states to prevents any impediments to the implementation of JNNSM, adding that stakeholders would be answerable for perfomance.

Gireesh B Pradhan, Additional Secretary, MNRE, in his introductory remarks, pointed out on the uniqueness of the JNNSM, which is the first joint initiative of Ministry of Power and MNRE.

Pradhan stressed on the need to take into consideration interest of the industry, investors and other stakeholders, adding the pool of experienced and technical professional need to be developed in order to achieve the country's need.

Emphasing on the importance of solar energy in India, Gauri Singh, Joint Secretary, MNRE, in her welcome address spoke on the necessity of JNNSM to put India on the Global Solar Energy map.

Meanwhile, Dr Sarita Nagpal, Deputy Director General CII in her concluding remarks said that solar energy was necessary in creating a low carbon Indian economy.

She said that stressed on the importance of developing an eco-system with enabling regulatory and policy measures to facilitate in building a green economy.

OneIndia News