Govt committed to 1.75 lakh MW power output by 2022: Goyal

Mission 2022

- Target is to produce 1,75,000 MW of renewable energy, including 1,00,000 MW solar energy by 2022

- Govt would encourage replacing of old air conditioners with 5 star label ACs to conserve energy on the pattern of LED bulbs

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 7

The government today said it was committed to reach the production mark of 1,75,000 MW renewable energy, including 1,00,000 MW solar energy by 2022.

"We are committed to making this 1,00,000 MW happen in solar, including 40,000 MW rooftop and the rest of the programmes to make it a 1,75,000 MW by 2022. It is on mission mode,” Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal said while addressing a workshop on Grid Connected Solar Rooftop here.

“Today, the world is seeing a potential game changer in the programme that India has set out and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to it not merely by words but by action as he believes in it passionately,” he said.

The PM believed in "Team India" for bigger vision on energy security and has shown commitment to the cause during the visit of US President Barack Obama here, Goyal said.

He said global agencies have shown commitment to offer huge soft loans to India for the mission.

He also urged different ministries to lay a network of solar power panels on all government buildings in Delhi within six months.

He also urged the states to shed all inhibitions regarding the higher cost of projects and take the initiative.

"State governments have to see how they can improve the efficiency of their system rather than crying sour that they will have to pay extra," he said pointing out that all religious places like Ajmer Sharif and Siddhi Vinayak temple can too have renewable energy.

"Tirupati Balaji is a living example of how a religious place, where millions of people come every day, is able to contribute to clean environment through windmills," he said, adding there were challenges like investments and transmission which were being addressed.

Also, the ministry would encourage replacing of old air conditioners with 5 star label ACs to conserve energy on the pattern of LED bulbs.