OdishaPlus Bureau
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India has emerged as the most attractive global market for clean energy and maintained self-reliance in electricity is a key component of the Centre’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign.
Launching a 750 MW solar project in Rewa in Madhya Pradesh through video-conferencing, Modi also said the state will emerge as a major hub for clean and cheap power in the country. “Solar energy is sure, pure and secure and the country is now among the top five solar power producers in the world,” he said.
The Rewa solar power plant will not only supply power to Madhya Pradesh, but also to the Delhi Metro, Modi said. Rewa Ultra Mega Solar (RUMS) project is Asia’s largest such power facility and Delhi Metro will be one of its institutional customers outside the state.
Modi said self-reliance in electricity is integral for ‘Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) Bharat’, adding solar energy will play an integral part in achieving this objective. The world is in a dilemma on whether to focus on the environment or on the economy, Modi said.
However, India has shown to the world that the environment and economy are not at odds, but are complementary to each other, the PM said. The country has successfully demonstrated this in implementing programs like Swachh Bharat, LPG connections to the poor (under Ujjwala scheme), CNG, and electricity-based transportation, among others, he said. He said solar energy is sure, pure, and secure and will be a major source of power in the 21st century.
“It is sure because the sun would shine throughout the world; it is pure because solar energy rather than polluting the environment, helps replenish it; it is very secure as it is a symbol of self-dependence and fulfills energy requirements,” he said.
Referring to the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” campaign of his government, Modi said the country has to produce solar panels, batteries, and other equipment on its own and has to reduce dependence on imports in this sector.
“Today, Rewa has scripted history. Rewa is identified with the name of mother Narmada and the white tiger. Now, the name of Asia’s largest solar power project has also been added to it,” he said. Modi congratulated the people of Rewa and also Madhya Pradesh, adding the solar plant will help make the area a big center of energy in this decade.
