Thursday, September 26, 2013: India and Chile have agreed to work together to boost their efforts in the field of renewable energy. The Indian Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Farooq Abdullah stated that India has over 30 GW of grid-connected installed capacity which utilizes solar photovoltaics (PV) and other renewable sources of energy. It plans to make an addition of over 30 GW capacity by 2018.
As cited on solarserver.com, the Indian minister also stressed the success India has had with its wind program along with major cost reductions in solar energy via the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM).
Chile wants to reduce its energy dependence from abroad and is entirely dependent on imports for its energy needs. Chile wants to explore its options for renewable energy resources with special emphasis to wind, hydro, solar and geothermal energy. Taking note of India’s achievements and strengths in renewable energy, the Chilean Energy Minister Jorge Bunster has expressed his government’s wish to set up 50 MW CSP capacity in the north of the country.
Abdullah has given support and expertise to Chile for setting up the renewable projects along with capacity building and project preparation with the aid of services of Indian experts and institutions like Centre for Wind Energy, Solar Energy Centre, Alternate Hydro Energy Centre. The Indian minister has also offered training avenues in India for Chilean scientists, engineers and technicians via the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program.
