solar-power-set-to-fuel-india-s-future-says-pm-modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again emphasised India’s growing importance on the global stage, calling the country the "best bet for the 21st century" due to its vast diversity, potential, and performance.

 

Speaking at the 4th edition of the Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST 2024) in Gandhinagar, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s solar revolution as a pivotal moment in the country's future, positioning it as a leader in green energy.

 

“When the history of the 21st century is written, the chapter of India’s solar revolution will be written in golden letters,” declared Modi. His speech outlined India’s ambitious plans for renewable energy and its commitment to achieving a sustainable future through solar, wind, nuclear, and hydro power.

 

The Prime Minister’s remarks spotlighted India’s readiness to meet its energy requirements as it strives to become a developed nation by 2047, despite lacking its own substantial oil and gas resources.

A vision

Modi’s address came at a crucial moment for his government, now in its third term, and he did not shy away from noting the achievements made within the first 100 days.

“India is preparing the base for development for the next 1000 years,” he said, adding, “In the first 100 days, you can witness our priorities, speed and scale.”

 

Modi highlighted that the focus of his government is not only to propel India to the top of the global economy but also to ensure that the nation sustains its rank over the long term.

 

The Prime Minister highlighted the scale of India's energy needs and the plans to meet them through a diverse mix of renewable energy sources. As a country without its own oil and gas resources, India has turned to alternative energy solutions to fuel its development.

 

"India's diversity, scale, capacity, potential and performance are unique and that is the reason I say Indian solutions for global application. The world is understanding this very well. Not just Indians, today the entire world feels India is the best bet for the 21st century," Modi asserted.

 

Building a green future

 

Modi’s speech was rich in details about the steps his government is taking towards a greener future. He noted that for India, achieving a green future and net zero emissions are not simply ambitious goals but essential national requirements.

 

He said the government was fully committed to achieving these targets and that they were already making significant strides.

 

The Prime Minister spoke of the development of Ayodhya and 16 other cities as "model solar cities" and outlined some of the major initiatives his government has undertaken in the green energy sector.

 

These include the viability gap funding scheme for offshore green energy projects, which has an outlay of Rs 7,000 crore, and the approval of Rs 12,000 crore for 31,000 MW of hydro power generation.

 

Modi’s vision of a green future is comprehensive, with the government working to promote solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear energy on a massive scale.

 

He also stressed India’s global leadership in renewable energy, stating, “India’s 140 crore people are working with the commitment to get the country into the top three economies.”

 

He presented RE-INVEST 2024 as part of a broader vision, describing it as a key component of the action plan to make India a developed nation by 2047.

 

Empowering people

 

Modi highlighted several initiatives designed to empower India's people through access to renewable energy. One such scheme is the 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojana', which he described as a unique rooftop solar initiative.

 

The government, he said, provides the necessary funding and support to help households install solar panels, turning them into energy producers. He revealed that 13 million families have already registered for the scheme, with over 3.25 lakh households having completed installations.

 

"Every family connected to the scheme will make a big contribution to fight climate change,” he said.

 

In addition to urban households, Modi also mentioned that solar power is being used to support farmers by providing them with solar pumps and small-scale solar plants.

 

He stated that these efforts are part of a larger strategy to make Indian farmers more self-reliant and to integrate renewable energy into every sector of the economy.

 

Ambitious infrastructure development

 

Modi took the opportunity to showcase some of the major infrastructural developments underway in India, noting the speed and scale of his government’s work.

 

He pointed out that the government had set out to build seven crore houses for the poor, of which four crore were completed during his second term. In his third term, the government aims to build another three crore houses.

 

Additionally, approval has been granted for the construction of 12 industrial cities, eight high-speed road corridor projects, and the launch of more than 15 Made-in-India semi-high speed Vande Bharat trains.

 

The Prime Minister also revealed the creation of a Rs 1 trillion research fund and detailed other initiatives aimed at promoting electric mobility and high-performance bio-manufacturing.

 

These steps, Modi said, reflect the "huge aspirations" of the Indian people and the trust that the nation’s 140 crore citizens have placed in his government.

 

Global leadership in geen energy

 

In his speech, Modi also took a moment to highlight India's international achievements in combating climate change. “India is the first G20 country to meet climate commitments made in Paris nine years before the deadline,” he said, adding, “We are the only one to achieve this among G20 nations. We did what developed nations could not do.”

 

India's ambition to become a global leader in the green hydrogen sector is another key aspect of Modi's vision. He announced the launch of a green hydrogen mission with a Rs 20,000 crore outlay, aimed at making India a leader in this emerging industry.

 

Additionally, he highlighted the country’s waste-to-energy campaign and its commitment to addressing challenges related to critical minerals by promoting a circular approach to resource use.

 

India’s global commitments

 

The Prime Minister made it clear that India’s focus on renewable energy is not just about domestic needs but also part of the country’s broader commitment to the future of humanity.

 

He referenced Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy that “India has enough resources to meet everyone’s needs but not greed," as a guiding principle for his government’s approach to sustainable development.

 

The Prime Minister also reiterated India’s leadership role on the world stage, pointing to initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance during the recent G20 summit, and the philosophy of pro-people, pro-planet initiatives embodied in Mission LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment).

 

With demand for renewable energy growing at a rapid pace in India, Modi assured investors and the international community that his government is actively framing new policies to meet this demand.

 

He said the Union government is providing full support to facilitate the transition to renewable energy, which will not only benefit India but also contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.