Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:Solar power in the country has increased by 46 per cent in the last 11 years. Briefing media on developments in the energy sector in New Delhi recently, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India is now the fourth largest refining hub of coal, highlighting more than one billion tonnes of coal production last year and a reduction in imports by eight per cent. The Minister also highlighted that wind energy capacity has now increased to 53 Gigawatts. He underlined that since 2014, the Government has only focused on outcomes, and the energy sector has undergone massive changes in the last 11 years.
The Minister said that energy sector transformation is built on universal access, affordability, availability, financial viability and sustainability. He underlined the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which targets a production capacity of five million metric tonnes per year by 2030 and aims to reduce fossil fuel imports by over 1 lakh crore rupees. Goyal also highlighted the PM Surya Ghar scheme, under which rooftop solar installations are being undertaken in around 20 lakh households. He added that the country has moved towards surplus power generation, grid integration and leadership in renewable energy. He asserted that the country has transitioned from power scarcity to power security and now towards power sustainability.
