Domestic manufacturing in renewable energy sector is important to reduce import dependence, improve supply chain, promote GDP growth, and increase employment. The Confederation of Indian Industry will be hosting the Third Edition of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Conference on 14-15 July 2022 that will focus on Making India a Global Manufacturing Hub for Renewable Energy.
At a curtain raiser event today, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, New and Renewable Energy, asked the industry to embrace the opportunity of a global economic recovery in the post-pandemic period to redefine the global supply chain and work towards making India become a net energy exporter. “Economic growth, increasing prosperity, a growing rate of urbanization and rising per capita energy consumption are the key contributors to increasing demand for energy in the country,” he said.
According to the minister, energy transition is an important step to cater to the increasing demand and can help the economy by creating jobs which is estimated to employ 3.2 million people by 2050.
This transition could reduce the dependence on imported fuel and improve the trade balance and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Speaking at the event, His Excellency Andre Aranha Correa do Lago, Ambassador of Brazil, said India and Brazil relationship was extensive and comprehensive and covered every important segment of interaction. He said Brazil was looking towards India as a potential manufacturing export partner for solar panel as it aims to install 52 GW of solar. He particularly mentioned the country’s ethanol programme and its significance in building a sustainable mobility sector with help of the agriculture sector.
Mr Soren Kannik-Margardsen, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Kingdom of Denmark, in his address highlighted the importance of Green Hydrogen and said the Governments of India and Denmark have agreed to partner for development programmes for green hydrogen and can together decarbonise the economy. “This will help in reducing import dependence on fossil fuels and reduce pollution in India,” he said.
In his opening remarks, Mr Tulsi Tanti, chairman of CII’s Renewable Energy Council and chairman and managing director, Suzlon group, said heavy reliance on imports of upstream components for the Solar Energy industry has resulted in foreign suppliers having substantial control on the prices, restricting the ability of domestic manufacturers to cut costs and be price-competitive in the global market. “We are encouraged that to promote energy security through domestic manufacturing the government has announced the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for high efficiency solar PV modules,” he added.
Mr Sameer Gupta, chairman and managing director, Jakson group, gave a background on the conference and said it served as an excellent engagement platform for all the stakeholders across the value chain since the year 2020 with the initiation of the First Edition of AatmaNirbhar Bharat. “This year’s conference will focus on key deliberations on making India a global manufacturing hub of renewable energy and would cover the entire gamut of this sector – Solar, Wind, Green Hydrogen, Biomass, Decentralised Renewable Energy, etc,” he said. It is encouraging that the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) is looking at a holistic development of the sector, including the building of a strong and vibrant supply chain within India, he added.
New Delhi
22 March 2022