India expeditiously moving towards becoming global leader in energy transition: Vice Prez

Puducherry, Sep 12 (Agency) India is fast-moving towards becoming the global leader in energy transition, said Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday. The VP made the statement while inaugurating a rooftop solar power plant at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) here on Sunday. Highlighting the significance of rooftop solar plants in continuing the momentum of India’s ‘energy transition’, Naidu observed that rooftop plants use empty areas on buildings, generate power close to the point of consumption and reduce transmission losses.

He advised the State, Central and Union Territory governments to work together as ‘Team India’ to popularise the tapping of solar energy and bring about greater awareness among people on the benefits of installing solar panels on their rooftops. Calling upon institutions and public sector organisations to strive towards sustainability in their operations by using renewable energy, Naidu suggested greater adoption of rooftop solar plants in industries and big establishments like universities and government buildings and godowns. In this regard, he appealed to all states and local bodies to consider adopting the model building by-laws for new buildings.

The VP also advocated the need to make solar rooftop plants, solar water heaters and rainwater harvesting mandatory for large buildings and government organisations, along with ensuring sufficient light and ventilation. As per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Centre has set a target for achieving 175 GW renewable energy (RE) capacity (excluding large hydro) by the year 2022. So far, 96.95 GW of cumulative installed RE capacity (excluding large hydro) has been achieved as on June 30, 2021, in the country. Naidu is on a three-day visit to Puducherry.