Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 3rd RE-INVEST.The inaugural function was joined by several dignitaries from India and abroad. These included Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, Alok Sharma MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Government of UK, Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Denmark and several Chief Ministers and Lt. Governor of States and Union Territories. A video message was sent for the event by Mark Rutte Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
During inaugural Prime Minister of India reminded the audience that the announcements by India in the past editions of RE-INVEST were becoming a reality. He spoke about the efforts to provide access to energy to all citizens of India.
There was a special session scheduled a day after the inauguration, Chief Ministers’ Plenary Session at the 3rd Global RE-INVEST which was attended by the Renewable Energy Minister R.K Singh and Chief Minister from different states on virtual platform.
During the session CMs highlighted achievements of their respective states in renewable energy space and updated on their plans, here is what they said:-
Gujarat
Vijay Rupani, Chief Minister, said that Gujarat has been a pioneer in the space of renewable energy and in the last 3 years, the capacity of RE has increased considerably despite challenges. “We found solutions by involving people & appropriate partners and companies creating a win-win situation for RE”, said Rupani.
He further added that Gujarat has given subsidies to 55000 people to install solar panels and have a vision of achieving 5000 MW solar and bringing solar energy in agriculture. We are keen to take forward the Govt of India’s OSOWOG vision forward.
Rajasthan
Echoing the thoughts, Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister said “Rajasthan is the 2nd largest state in terms of investments in solar energy projects. When we started 20 years ago, cost of RE was Rs 16 and now it is Rs 2 per unit. This is sure to reduce further. It is our duty to work towards renewable energy and climate change”.
He further added the incesntives that have been extended to the investors in terms of reduction in stamp duty, easy availability of land, 10 years’ electricity charge free, 90% subsidy is GST etc.
Gehlot added “Rajasthan has 125,000 acres of desert land across cities which have been utilised in Jodhpur and Bikaner for large mega scale solar projects”.
Madhya Pradesh
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh said that India is an ideal country for renewable energy.
“With Madhya Pradesh being a centrally located state, it has a lot of possibilities & can supply RE power to neighbouring states if needed. About 37k circuit transmission lines and service stations are being set up in the state”, he added.
Madhya Pradesh is planning a 15,000 MW solar project, the cost of which is Rs 5000 crores. Besides starting work on power transmission, we have also started survey work for some other innovative RE projects, like floating solar etc. in the state.
He announced that “Aatmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh’ plan is being developed and RE will play an important role”.
Himachal Pradesh
Jai Ram Thakur, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh said “Himachal Pradesh is a small state, but we are making all efforts to harness our RE potential. Our target is to achieve 24k MW of RE. So far, we produce 10K MW of Hydro Power and plan to double these numbers in the next decade”.
Uttar Pradesh
Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh informed producers have plans to set up 12000 MW of solar energy parks in UP. Two plants of 600 MW each will be set up in Jhansi. These will be commissioned soon.
He also added “KUSUM scheme for farmers is an ambitious program and UP has made plans to implement this programme in the state”.
Sharing the investor friendly policies, he said that policy provides open-access & online single-window entry for projects & parks. “By 2022 we plan to increase our solar energy capacity by 10,700 MW out of this 6000 MW will be for utilities & 4000MW for rooftop solar”.
Ladakh
Speaking about the renewable energy potential of the newly formed Union territoty of Ladakh, Radha Krishna Mathur, Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh said ‘Ladakh has been envisioned to become a carbon neutral Union Territory and renewable energy will play an important role in this regard. In the various assessments done Ladkah has a potential of 30GW of solar, 5GW of wind, 2GW of hydro and 300MW of geo thermal, as a beginning, a 10,000MW project in the first phase and to support it a strong transmission infrastructure is also being planned”.