India is nine years ahead in achieving the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target of having 40 per cent of installed power capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources by 2030
Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R. K. Singh stated on Tuesday that India will not compromise on meeting the growing energy demands of its economy but will develop generation capacity responsibly.
Speaking at the inauguration of a power pavilion at the India International Trade Fair 2023, Singh emphasised that developed countries need to cut down their emissions first.
Singh highlighted India's position ahead of COP28, stating that around 85 percent of the carbon dioxide load in the atmosphere is due to the industrialization path followed by developed countries. India, with 17 percent of the world's population, contributes only 3.5 percent to the carbon dioxide load.
He pointed out that India's per capita emissions are one-third of the world average, while developed countries have three times the world average.
The minister stressed that India won't compromise on its electricity needs for economic growth but will do so responsibly. India has already achieved the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target of having 40 percent of installed power capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources by 2030, nine years ahead of schedule.
Singh mentioned that India pledged at COP-21 in 2015 to reduce its emissions intensity by 33 percent by 2030, and this was achieved by 2019.
India's commitment at COP26 is to have 50 percent of its capacity from renewables by 2030 and reduce emission intensity by 45 percent. Singh expressed confidence in achieving these targets, stating that the availability of power in rural areas is now 21 hours, and in urban areas, it is 23.5 hours.