PM Modi Lists the Seven key Drivers of India’s Energy Map

PM Modi listed the seven key drivers of change and development that will represent India’s energy map at the India Energy Forum CERAWeek,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the inaugural address at India Energy Forum CERAWeek through video conference, speaking highly of what India has achieved in the energy field and listing the seven key drivers of change and development that will represent India’s energy map going into the next decade and beyond.

The 4th edition of the annual event, which is organised by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, had the theme of “India’s Energy Future in a World of Change”.

Addressing the India Energy Forum. Watch. https://t.co/kMlsRqU7rt

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 26, 2020

The PM highlighted that at the core of the government’s policy is providing equitable access to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy to all Indians, for which the country has adopted an integrated approach. He said India believes that access to energy must be affordable and reliable.  That is when socio-economic transformations can take place. He said the energy sector empowers people and furthers “Ease of Living” and he listed Government’s initiatives to achieve this. He said these initiatives particularly helped the rural people, the middle class and women.

Modi also said that India is full of energy and its energy future is bright and secure. He elaborated that in spite of various challenges like fall in energy demand by almost one third, prevailing price instability, impacted investment decisions, projected contraction in global energy demand over the next few years, India was projected to emerge as a leading energy consumer and is projected to nearly double its energy consumption over the long term.

The Prime Minister said India’s Energy Plan aims to ensure energy justice while fully following India’s global commitments for sustainable growth. This means more energy is needed to improve the lives of Indians with a smaller carbon footprint. He envisioned India’s energy sector to be growth-centric, industry-friendly and environment conscious. He said that is why India is among the most active nations in furthering renewable sources of energy.

He further went on to say that like the  seven horses driving the chariot of Sun god, India’s energy map will have seven key drivers:

1.  Accelerating our efforts to move towards a gas-based economy.

2.  Cleaner use of fossil fuels particularly petroleum and coal

3.  Greater reliance on domestic sources to drive bio-fuels.

4.  Achieving the renewables target of 450 GW by 2030.

5. Increasing the contribution of electricity to decarbonise mobility.

6. Moving into the emerging fuels including  hydrogen

7.  Digital innovation across all the energy systems.

The Prime Minister remarked that India is well on track to meet the global commitment. He said the target to increase the installed renewable energy capacity to 175 GW by 2022 has been further extended to 450 GW by 2030. He said in spite of India having one of the lowest carbon emissions than the rest of the industrialised world, India would continue its efforts to fight climate change.