India fast tracks its way to a sustainable future by approving a national solar mission that will help the country reduce reliance on fossil fuel.

Dr. Farooq, Abdullah, India’s minister for new and renewable energy, said on November 23 that the government has launched the Jawaharlal Nehru national solar mission, named after the country’s longest serving prime minister, which aims for an installed capacity of 20,000 megawatts by 2022.

Mr. Abdullah’s said the solar mission is one of eight key national missions comprising India’s national action plan on climate change.

Aware of the project’s ambitious goals, the Indian government recommends implementing the solar mission in three stages. By 2022, India expects solar power prices to be equivalent with grid power, enabling large-scale expansion.

The Indian government has also given the green light to 1,100 MW of solar grid power and 200 MW off-grid solar applications using both solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies.

The project also aims to enhance the country’s human resources and technology research and development capacity.

-   Patricia Garcia