PM asks BHEL to take lead in developing solar power technology

India's Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission seeks to develop 20,000 MW solar power generating capacity by end of 13th 5-year plan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) not only to take lead in solar energy in terms of power generation but also in the development of solar power technology in India. The government's Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission's success has the potential to enhance India's energy security, said the Prime Minister.

 

In his speech after dedicating the Rs 1,000 crore High Pressure Boiler Plant Unit-II, a greenfield initiative and the Rs 300 crore power plant piping unit at Thirumayam, on the Southern Tamil Nadu, set up BHEL, the Prime Minister said the Solar Mission seeks to develop 20,000 MW of solar power generating capacity by the end of the 13th Five Year Plan and its success has the potential of enhancing India's energy security and will help to combat climate change.

 

The Prime Minister said “I sincerely hope that Bharat Heavy Electricals, which is bestowed with engineering expertise, manufacturing prowess and a commendable human resource base, will not only take the lead in solar energy in terms of power generation but also in the development of solar power technology in India. This is a difficult commercial decision, but well worth taking in the long term interest of our country”.

 

The Prime Minister noted, operationalisation of BHEL's two new units had taken the company's overall manufacturing capacity to 20,000 MW. The dedication today of Bharat Heavy Electricals’ new Units is an outcome of such initiatives. “I understand that spread over 3 lakh square meters, the company’s Trichy complex is one of the biggest in Asia as a whole,” said the Prime Minister.

 

The Prime Minister further said, the Government plans to add over 100,000 MW including renewable in the 12th Plan and in the 11th Plan period the country added around 55,000 MW of generation capacity. Out of this BHEL alone accounted for almost half. “This shows the critical role the company plays in one of the key sectors of our economy," he said.

 

"BHEL is not only one of our foremost manufacturing companies, but is also contributing to our efforts for expanding manufacturing by helping us make our economy more competitive," he said.

 

"We need to develop ways and means to reduce our carbon footprint through technological innovation. In our country, more than 50 percent of power comes from coal-based generation, which is a major emitter of greenhouse gases," said the Prime Minister.