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| | US launches $20 Mn clean "Energy Programme" in India | | | NEW DELHI, July 31 (Agencies):The US today launched a USD 20 million clean energy deployment programme (PACE-D) to help in India's transition to a high performing, low emissions and energy secure economy.
"I am proud of our long-standing partnership in the energy sector and I know that we have the potential to strengthen this partnership through the broader PACE-D effort," US Ambassador to India Nancy J Powell said while announcing the launch of the Indo-US Partnership to Advance Clean Energy - Deployment (PACE-D).
The programme, to be implemented in five years, is an outcome of bilateral energy dialogue created by President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2009 and will help to improve energy efficiency, increase the supply of renewable energy and adopt and accelerate deployment of cleaner fossil fuel technology.
PACE-D will work to create an environment that strengthens institutions, increases the availability of innovative financing mechanisms and enhances local capacity to propagate clean energy solutions, said Ambassador Powell.
It will also improve access to energy through renewable sources and will assist India promote grid connected renewable energy, expand rural electrification through micro grids and develop off-grid applications, such as those for fossil fuel replacement, lighting and rooftop systems.
The Ambassador said PACE-D has an "ambitious agenda" as it will also improve access to renewable energy by engaging various state and local governments. "This decentralized engagement will increase access to financing, develop sustainable business models and improve access to renewable energy," she said.
She also announced the award of contract for implementing the programme to American consulting firm Nexant Inc., which has organised a consortium of both US and Indian partners to provide a range of services and expertise.
India's Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Giresh Pradhan and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Power Jyoti Arora were also present on the occasion.
Powell announced, "Since joining the PACE-D initiative in 2010, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation has approved or committed USD 741 million to clean energy projects in India."
She said, the US Trade and Development Agency has formed the Energy Cooperation Programme with India to promote the development of clean energy market.
"Together with the Government of India, we hope to capitalise on these partnerships and opportunities and take these experiences to other parts of the world. Many other countries can benefit from India's experience in moving towards a low carbon economy," the US Ambassador said.
It has been jointly developed by US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Indian Ministries of Power and New and Renewable Energy.
Over the last 15 years, a USAID programme has helped India avoid about 100 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions and also reduce coal consumption by 78 million tons, resulting in savings of approximately USD 1.5 billion.
Listing climate change and energy security as two most critical global challenges of the 21st century, Powell said with India's energy consumption growing at over 7 per cent annually, the country faces formidable challenges in meeting its energy demands.
PACE has two primary, inter-linked components - a research component, known as PACE-R, led by the US Department of Energy and a deployment component known as PACE-D, led by USAID. PACE-R works to improve energy access and promote low-carbon growth through research and development.
In May 2011, the US and India set up a joint Clean Energy Research and Development Centre that will focus on scientific and technological cooperation in building efficiency, solar energy and advanced biofuels. |
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