New Energy Policy aims to chart the way forward to meet the Government’s bold announcements: Piyush Goyal

The National Energy Policy (NEP) aims to chart the way forward to meet the Government’s bold announcements in the energy domain said Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines Minister, Piyush Goyal in Rajya Sabha on Monday. Key four objectives of the new energy policy are access at affordable prices, improved energy security and independence, greater sustainability and economic growth. The minister stated that the policy is being discussed by NITI Aayog with different stake holders.

Goyal also said that NEP builds on the achievements of the earlier omnibus energy policy – the Integrated Energy Policy (IEP), and sets the new agenda consistent with the redefined role of emerging developments in the energy world. There is a need to support the trends which usher in efficiency by a pro-active policy.

In view of the fact, that energy is handled by different Ministries that have the primary responsibility of setting their own sectorial agenda, an omnibus policy is required to achieve the goal of energy security through coordination between these sources. This is also expected to mainstream emerging energy technologies, and provide consumer energy choices, Goyal added.

Government has already been taken steps to embed many such developments in the sectoral energy policies; however, it is desirable to develop a clear roadmap so that there is clarity amongst all the stakeholders on the Government’s long-term energy agenda. Long term investors, both on supply and demand sides, need clarity on stable energy policy outlook.

Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha on the difference between the old and new policies the Minister said that the new policy differs from the previous policy while include the issue related to sharp decline of crude oil prices, change in solar energy technology, heightened concern of climate change issues, ambitious target of Renewable energy and rural electrification agenda adopted by the Government.

The Minister further stated that all the Census villages are planned to be electrified by 2019, and universal electrification is to be achieved, with 24×7 electricity by 2022. Our INDCs target at reduction of emissions intensity by 33%-35% by 2030, achieving a 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022, and share of non-fossil fuel based installed capacity in the electricity mix is aimed at above 40% by 2030.