Ready to share solar expertise with other parts of the world: MNRE Minister Pralhad Joshi

India’s experience with PM Surya Garh and PM Kusum has been ‘excellent’ and the country is ready to share its expertise and experience in the solar sector with other countries, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters in an interaction at the sidelines of the eighth International Solar Alliance (ISA) assembly.

He was responding to a query about the response to India’s indigenous solar energy programmes. New Delhi has been looking to showcase the PM-Kusum (Krishi Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) and PM Surya Ghar Yojana to several African countries and island nations. The could be of particular use for Africa, which is so far able to tap only 4% of its arable land through irrigation due to the lack of sufficient rural power.

“We are ready to share our expertise and experience, and we [the government] are also supporting ISA to expand this in other parts of the world and member countries of ISA,” he said. Underlining the two as among “the most successful programmes”, Mr. Joshi informed that 10 lakh solar rooftops have been completed, and 21 lakh nearing completion under PM Surya Ghar.

China, Russia’s partnership in the solar alliance

In response to a query about China’s membership in the solar energy alliance, Director General of the ISA Ashish Khanna said they are “open” to the idea of having Beijing as a member.

“The ball is in China’s court. I think if ISA can have China, it would have covered 90% of the entire solar market so we welcome them,” he said. Mr. Khanna affirmed the same for Russia’s membership in the alliance.

He elaborated, “We believe with India’s presidency of BRICS next year, working together on solar can actually [serve] a transformative agenda given the market internationally.”

The ISA was a collaborative initiative between India and France conceptualised at the sidelines of the 21st U.N. Climate Change Conference in Paris (2015). The objective was to combine efforts in the realm of solar energy to combat climate change. Notwithstanding indications in the past, both Beijing and Moscow have not joined the alliance so far, largely due to geopolitical issues.

In addition to this, responding to a query about Russia and India looking into renewable energy as a new area of cooperation, Mr. Joshi said, “We already have a historical strategic partnership with Russia,” adding, “even as far as solar energy or renewable energy [is concerned], any country, including with Russia, there is absolutely no issue for us.”