Union Minister inaugurates power pavilion showcasing India’s transformative power sector initiatives

R.K. Singh highlights global climate responsibility, India’s achievements, and transformative power sector initiatives.

The inauguration of the Power Pavilion at the India International Trade Fair 2023 in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, by R. K. Singh, the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, marked a significant event. The power ministry, established the pavilion with the objective of presenting key initiatives in the power sector to both domestic and international industries. Additionally, the pavilion aims to enhance public awareness and participation in the government’s schemes and policies. 

The pavilion showcases various policy initiatives and themes, including the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Carbon Capture Technology, One Sun-One World-One Grid, Universal Energy Access through Renewable Energy, Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, Smart Energy (Smart Grid, Smart Meter), Pumped Hydro Storage as a pathway to Grid Stability, Energy Transition, Charging Infrastructure, and e-Mobility. To engage visitors effectively, the pavilion employs working models, interactive panels, game zones, and utilises the latest technology to present information about the power sector in a lively and engaging manner.

During a media address following the inauguration, Union Minister Singh discussed India’s position in light of the upcoming COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference. He emphasised that developed countries should take the lead in reducing emissions, citing that 85 percent of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is a result of the industrialisation path followed by these countries. Despite India’s 17 percent share of the global population, its contribution to the carbon dioxide load is only 3.5 percent.Singh highlighted that India’s per capita emissions are one-third of the world average, contrasting sharply with developed countries whose per capita emissions are three times the global average. He asserted that developed countries, having used fossil fuels to develop their economies, should be the ones to cut down their emissions first.

The Union Minister reiterated India’s commitment to meeting its electricity needs for a growing economy while developing responsibly. He emphasised that India had surpassed the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target by achieving 40 percent of installed power capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources by 2030, nine years ahead of schedule.Singh also shared India’s commitment, made at COP-21 in 2015, to reduce emissions intensity by 33 percent by 2030, a target achieved by 2019. He stated that India aims to have 50 percent of its capacity from renewables and reduce emission intensity by 45 percent by 2030, expressing confidence in achieving these goals.

The Minister underscored the transformative initiatives in the power sector showcased at the power pavilion, highlighting achievements such as adding around 1.9 lakh MW power capacity in the last nine years, strengthening the national grid, investing ₹ 2.1 lakh crores in the distribution system, and ensuring 21 hours of power availability in rural areas and 23.5 hours in urban areas. He also noted that India leads the world in adding renewable energy capacity.

The event was attended by power secretary Pankaj Agarwal and officials from the ministry and various organisations, including NTPC, PGCIL, NHPC, REC, PFC, THDC, SJVN, BEE, EESL, and CES, actively participating in the trade fair to collectively showcase achievements and initiatives in the power sector.