Addressing the G20 Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Goa virtually, Modi called for low-cost finance for developing countries, ways to bridge technology gaps, and measures to promote energy security and diversify supply chains.
“India is the most populated nation and the fastest-growing large economy in the world,” the prime minister said. “Yet, we are moving strongly on our climate commitments.”
India is making great efforts in green growth and energy transition and the country is among the global leaders in solar and wind power, he said. The country has connected more than 190 million families with LPG in the last nine years and every village has electricity.
“We are also working to provide piped cooking gas to people. It has the potential to cover more than 90% of the population in a few years,” Modi said, adding that the government’s effort is to work for inclusive, resilient, equitable, and sustainable energy for all.
He said small steps have led to big results, pointing to the success of LED lights, now the largest LED distribution programme in the world that has saved more than 45 billion units of energy per year.The PM shared India’s sustainable energy programmes. He said India has the largest agricultural pump solarisation initiative in the world, the domestic electric vehicle market is projected to reach 10 million annual sales by 2030 and the rollout of 20% ethanol-blended petrol commenced this year.”For decarbonising India, we are working on a mission mode on green hydrogen as an alternative,” he said. “The aim is to make India a global hub for the production, use, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.”
Modi said the world is looking up to G20 energy ministers to advance a sustainable, just, affordable, inclusive, and clean energy transition, urging them to ensure that the global south is not left behind.
“We must ensure low-cost finance for developing countries. We must find ways to bridge technology gaps, promote energy security, and work on diversifying supply chains,” he said.
He called for strengthening collaboration on ‘Fuels for the future’, adding that the ‘High-level principles on hydrogen’ is a step in the right direction.
The prime minister said trans-national grid interconnections can enhance energy security, pointing to the mutually beneficial cooperation in South Asia that has shown encouraging results.
“It will enable all of us to meet our climate goals, stimulate green investment, and create millions of green jobs,” he said.
“I invite you all to join the green grids initiative – ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid of the International Solar Alliance’,” he said, rounding up his address.
