Piyush Goyal calls for building SAARC Power Grid
November 15, 2014 1:29 am
November 15, 2014 1:29 am
Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy has called for building SAARC power grid so that excess production of power in one region can easily be used to meet deficit elsewhere. Goyal was addressing the inaugural session of the 5th meeting of the SAARC Energy Ministers.
Goyal said “Rivers can flow only in one direction, but power can flow in the direction of our choice! I dream of a seamless SAARC power grid within the next few years. For example : Hydroelectric power generated in North East India could be transported via Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, on to Afghanistan or offshore wind projects could be set up in Sri Lanka’s coastal borders to power Pakistan or Nepal. The possibilities are limitless.”
The Power Minister further stated that the economic sustainability of SAARC region is pillared on energy security as 30 per cent of the region’s energy demands are met through imports. In order to resolve this, Goyal advocated a three pronged strategy by leveraging harnessing conventional and renewable sources of energy, building inter-connected transmissions grids and forging efficacious power trading agreements. SAARC is a robust market but constraints are primarily on the supply side as there are pockets where deficits persist, Goyal said. Highlighting the correlation between per-capita electricity consumption and Human Development Index (HDI), Goyal said that the impact of electricity on human lives is profound ranging from healthcare to education to employment opportunities. The household per capita consumption of electricity within SAARC is mere 128 units versus global average of 3,045 units. Goyal called upon all member countries to take this as a challenge and we all should commit over selves for pushing up household per capita consumption.
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