India should aim for 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030: Piyush Goyal

Coal Minister Piyush Goyal has said India should strive for 50 per cent of its power generation capacity from renewable sources by 2030 on the back of technological advancements in solar and wind energy. 

Addressing the 7th Indian Energy Congress in New Delhi yesterday, Mr Goyal said India is the first major country which is fast transitioning into a new era of carbon-free energy for its citizens.

The minister also said the country is set to exceed the target of 175 GW in renewable energy and touch 200 GW by 2022 which shows the seriousness India attaches to climate



change and environment protection.

Earlier in the conference, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the power sector must adopt new technologies and innovate to cut transmission and distribution losses as energy consumption in the country is set to see a phenomenal rise in the coming years.

During the conference, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar invited suggestions from industry leaders as the think-tank embarks to prepare India's integrated energy policy along with a national plan for the manufacturing sector to adopt new technologies like artificial intelligence and Internet of Things.