The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Mr. R.K. Singh has announced the setting up of a Centre for Energy Transition as a collaborative initiative between the Government of India and the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). In the 23rd edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) organized by TERI in New Delhi on February 9, 2024, the Minister announced the news. He stated that the institute would be expected to play a pivotal role in identifying pathways for sustainable energy transition and fostering innovation in the renewable energy sector.
Addressing the summit delegates during a session on “Energy Transitions for People, Peace, Prosperity and our Planet”, the Union Minister emphasized India’s leadership in climate action and energy transition. He highlighted India’s remarkable progress and said: “44% of our power generation capacity is from non-fossil-fuel sources. About 180-plus GW of total capacity of 427 GW is from non-fossil-fuel sources, most of which is renewable capacity. Our rate of energy transition is unmatched. We are the only country issuing bids for round-the-clock renewable energy.”
Mr. Singh also said that India is the only major economy which has achieved both NDCs way ahead of schedule and the developed countries must realize that no country is going to compromise on their development trajectory. “They need to vacate carbon space so that developing countries can develop,” he added.
The Minister emphasized Prime Minister’s emphasis on Mission LiFE, stating, “The development model of the world must evolve; increasing demand without sustainability spells doom.” Highlighting India’s strides, he added, “We are boosting green vehicles and ramping up green hydrogen production.” However, he cautioned, “Protectionist trade barriers obstruct progress. It’s time for a collective rethink.”
