Solar energy need of time, says Pachauri

To promote emission-free energy generation, eminent environmentalist R K Pachauri has advocated that states like Rajasthan utilise their abundant solar resources instead of digging for fossil fuel that adds to global warming.    

"Solar energy is a viable alternative for power, especially for states like Rajasthan which can fulfill their energy needs without digging for fossil fuels," Pachauri told a gathering here last evening.        

The Nobel laureate, who was here to inaugurate an environment conservation initiative by former foreign secretary Jagat Singh Mehta, said he was in consultation with the Rajasthan government to set up solar power plants in the state.        

"Plans have been made to set up solar power plants and the discussion with the Rajasthan government is going on. The Energy and Research Institute (Teri) and Clinton Climate Initiative will collaborate to set up this project," he said.    

Highlighting the need to diversify the energy resources, Pachauri, however, said the option of nuclear power was very expensive and not readily acceptable everywhere.    

"While in France about 80 per cent of energy is produced by nuclear reactors, in Germany one cannot talk of nuclear energy as an alternative," Pachauri said.    

However, he admired the Indo-American Nuclear treaty saying that it has opened new avenues for the country.