Union Minister for Power RK Singh informed Kerry that India is one of the fastest growing in terms of renewable capacity

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry has congratulated India on achievements in renewable energy by reaching 146 GW Renewables with 63 GW under construction and 25 GW under bids.

Kerry hailed India’s efforts and achievements towards green energy during his telephonic conversation with Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy RK Singh on Thursday evening.

During the phone call, Singh informed Kerry about India’s plan to emerge as a global leader in Green Hydrogen, said an official release.

Singh underlined that Prime Minister Narendra Modi places the highest importance on the issues of environment. Singh suggested to Kerry that India and the US could work together in the areas of innovations for power and technology. Singh also pointed out the requirement of bringing down the cost of storage of renewable power.

Singh informed Kerry that India is proposing to mandate using green hydrogen in fertilizer and in refining as a part of the government’s commitment towards replacing grey hydrogen with green hydrogen.

India one of the fastest growing in terms of renewable capacity

The Minister informed Kerry about the recent milestone the country had achieved by crossing 100 GW in Installed Solar and Wind Capacity. With the addition of Hydro capacity also, the total installed renewable capacity is 147 MW. Further, 63 GW of renewable capacity is under construction which makes India one of the fastest growing in terms of renewable capacity addition.

Singh also informed Kerry that the National Hydrogen Energy Mission has been launched to enable cost competitive green hydrogen production. He informed that India would be conducting competitive bids for green hydrogen in the next 3-4 months to pave the road for viable usage of hydrogen as a fuel. Singh added that India is looking at bids for 4000 MW of electrolysers capacity.

Singh further suggested that India and USA should work at setting up an alternate supply chain for lithium in order to secure inputs material for battery Energy Storage. Singh and Kerry are expected to meet shortly to take forward discussions on Energy Transition.