More green needed by India

India stands to gain immensely should it pursue a more aggressive path towards renewable energy.

United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Director General Kandeh K. Yumkella said India should now have an aggressive clean energy solution policy. It should also hasten development of green technologies for its energy security and export these to developing countries in Africa and Latin Americas.

"If you promote the three principles of access, efficiency and increase in the share of renewable energy, India can be one of the global leaders in the energy revolution going forward in the next two decades," he said.

Clean energy investments in India reached US$10.3 billion in 2011, up 52% from the US$6.8 billion invested in 2010. This is the highest growth figure of any advanced or emerging economy in the world, and has been traced to India’s improving cost-competitiveness in wind and solar energy.

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has set a target of 20,000 MW of solar power by 2020. The government is also promoting biomass plants that can produce one to two MW of power.

Yumkella said companies and funds would be interested to invest in green infrastructure in India with government support. He also said India should export its green technology solutions to developing countries in Africa and Latin America.