Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday said only renewable and green energy holds the promise of helping mankind reduce climate change and there were therefore numerous challenges that yet remained to be met in this regard.
Addressing the Ninth Green Energy Summit organised by India Energy Forum, Ms. Dikshit stressed the need for promoting green energy including renewable energy. She said it should not be forgotten that energy resources from fossils fuel were not going to last long and the energy requirements were galloping by the day.
Calling for bringing a change in the mindset of people, the Chief Minister said it was time to encourage green energy including renewable energy. She also made a mention of the Prime Minister’s announcement about setting up a Solar Mission that would go a long way in generating solar energy in the country.
Pointing out that in Israel every house is generating solar energy, Ms. Dikshit said her government had also made use of solar water heaters in hotels, motels, institutes, big buildings and residential societies mandatory. This apart, use of CFL bulbs and electronic chokes had also been made essential in them.
In government buildings, she said, incentives were being given for use of solar energy and energy audit of big government buildings was being undertaken to find out ways of saving electricity. The Chief Minister also exhorted businesses to come out with energy efficient gadgets.
Ms. Dikshit said as Delhi had no natural resources of its own, judicious and effective use of energy was of utmost importance. The State Government, she said, had also signed a memorandum of understanding with TERI to give a fillip to its conservation efforts.
As for the Commonwealth Games 2010, the Chief Minister said they would be green games as new infrastructure is being constructed as per the concept of green buildings, which require minimum use of energy resources.
Besides, Delhi is also the first city in the world to shift its entire public road transport system to the eco-friendly CNG mode, she added.
