In a key step towards promoting renewable energy among corporate India, the Green Power Market Development Group (GPMDG) was launched on a nationwide basis in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The GPMDG initiative seeks to create a demand for renewable energy among corporate and help companies in meeting their renewable energy purchase obligations and also make them sustainable in the long term.
The GPMDG - India is a joint initiative of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and World Resources Institute (WRI) and supported by Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation.
Speaking on the occasion, Planning Commission member, B.K. Chaturvedi said that India has experienced significant economic growth in recent times. Yet the fact remains that its growth is constrained by energy supply and availability. He pointed to the huge potential of renewable energy in India and, if realised even in part, would go a long way in cementing energy security.
CII chairman, Jamshyd N. Godrej said the portfolio of opportunities in renewable energy was very large and said to improve energy access across the country off grid options could be explored, especially with regard to solar power.
Krishan Dhawan, CEO, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, highlighted the need to focus on clean energy and energy efficiency across sectors. He hoped that effort to create awareness and commitment among industry would create a demand force for green power.
Explaining how Infosys has taken the lead in green power usage, Rohan Parikh, Head Green Initiatives, Infosys, said that corporates need to be become part of the solution. He urged the Government to ensure policy stability over a 10-15 year period so that financing options improve.
