International Solar Alliance could play same role as OPEC for global energy needs: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the first general assembly of International Solar Alliance (ISA) on Tuesday, said that the alliance will play the same role as oil-cartel OPEC plays today in fulfilling global energy requirement of the coming years.
The same event also marked the inauguration of the second Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting, and the 2nd Global RE-Invest (Renewable Energy Investors’ Meet and Expo) meet.
He urged world leaders to connect solar energy supply across borders and move towards a future of ‘one world, one sun, one grid’.
India is proud to host the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance, the second IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting and the 2nd Global RE-Invest (Renewable Energy Investors’ Meet and Expo). pic.twitter.com/SBb6xwJ9fI
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2018
He said that it is the right time to invest in renewable energy. “In the last 150-200 years, humanity has used fuels from below the ground for its lighting needs,” Mr. Modi added.
“We have seen and even now are seeing how nature is protesting against this. It is continuously giving us the message that the way forward has to be through fuels found above the ground.”
He said that India would add as much as 50 GW of non-hydro renewable energy to existing 72 GW and is successfully marching towards the target of achieving 175 GW of clean energy by 2022. He said that in the next four years 28 lakh solar pumps will be installed, which will help avoid 10 GW generation capacity.
PM Modi said that India targets 40% of its total energy capacity will be non-fossil fuel based by 2030 and is becoming one of the preferred destinations for investment in solar energy.
“We need to expand the scope of ISA beyond 125 tropical countries which fall between tropic of cancer and Capricorn. India in the first assembly of ISA will propose to send all United National member nations the proposal to become a member of the body,” he said.
“Through ISA, climate-justice has been given a platform. The entire world should get the benefits of ISA.”
“Today, the ISA has become a ray of hope for the world in just three years,” Mr. Modi said. He said he believes ISA will top the list of climate change organisations in the 21st Century. The role of oil wells will be replaced by the sun’s rays.