175 GW green energy target a big challenge: Suresh Prabhu
1 min read 07 Nov 2015, 08:45 PM ISTThe railways minister says solar energy is the ultimate solution for India
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New Delhi: Deploying 175 GW of power generation capacity from renewable sources by 2022 is a big challenge, Union minister Suresh Prabhu said on Saturday, adding that solar energy is the “ultimate solution" for India.
“Solar is the ultimate solution for India because solar and wind are real sources of energy. Having 175 GW of power generation capacity from renewable energy is a big challenge," the railways minister said while addressing the Global Energy Technology Summit 2015, organized here by NTPC.
The government has ambitious plans for deployment of 175 GW renewable power capacities by 2022, including 100 GW of solar and 60 GW of wind, which may require investment of around $150 billion in the next seven years.
Stressing on the need for increasing the efficiency of solar photo-voltaic (PV) cells, Prabhu was of the view that research and development is very important and there is need to increase solar PV efficiency to 30-40% level.
He also suggested that NTPC should redefine itself as total energy solutions provider rather remaining a power generator or distributor. He said it can also set up small grid solar power projects to power remote areas. “Technological advancement, economic growth, combating climate change and fast-tracking technologies for renewables should be the top-most priority," said Prabhu. PTI
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