Govt to set up green channel for clean energy projects

The government will set up a "green channel" to boost the growing green energy sector in the country, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said today.
Standard guidelines will be unveiled soon to give faster clearances to the clean energy projects, he added.
His statement came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced mega plans for tapping of various renewable energy sources, including solar and wind, to give a boost to economic growth as well as fight climate change.
"As an Environment Minister, let me assure you -- if you are building green energy we will provide you green channels," Javadekar said at the valedictory function of Re-Invest 2015.

The government has already put in place the online process for giving environment clearances. Standard guidelines will also be issued to ensure speedy and transparent approval to the companies investing in green projects, he said.
"There are certain genuine concerns and all that will be put in standards so that if you follow standard guidelines, you will not have to visit office at all for (seeking) permissions. You can come to office for having green tea," the Minister said.

Lauding the commitment made by companies towards achieving the solar energy target of 100 giga watts before 2020, Javadekar said, "The upscale in target of renewable energy, particular in solar energy from 20 giga watt to 100 giga watt is a huge jump.

"100 giga watt of solar power means an investment of USD 100 billion and 145 billion tonnes of emissions saved per year. This is a huge thing," he said.
The commitment to achieve this target before 2020 is India's pre-2020 climate change actions, he added.