Delivering his valedictory Address at ASSOCHAM organised 2nd Day’s 7th Knowledge Millennium Summit here today, Dr. Abdullah also announced that in next 3 years, power generation from solar energy would reach about 1300 MW from its current negligible capacities.

Responding to query of ASSOCHAM President Dr. Swati Piramal about details of wind power generation, the Minister said that the proposed 33,000 MW capacities of wind power would be achieved through private public partnership initiatives. Dr. Abdullah added that huge private sector participation has already started coming in and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is currently examining such proposals for final clearance

Government contribution in harnessing wind power energy would be minimal as private sector is more than keen to set up wind power generation projects in far off places to lit them up, indicated the Minister.

Simpler procedures are being followed up and clearances quickly expedited for necessary approvals for such projects so that government is able to get 33,000 MW of wind power capacities by end of 13th five year plan period, asserted Dr. Abdullah.

“My Ministry is also committed to take solar power generation capacities to an extent of 1300 MW in next three years as I have already given a commitment to this effect to Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh”, said the Minister.

The government has foreseen faster depletion of fossil fuel source based energy and therefore started preparing to harness sources for energy generation through wind, solar, bio-mass and hydro etc. and it is in this direction the government has set up for itself a target of increasing wind power generation to an extent of 33,000 MW by 2022, clarified Dr. Abdullah.

In her welcome address, ASSOCHAM President, Dr. Swati Piramal assured the Minister for large participation of India Inc. in harnessing energy sources belonging to non-conventional areas.

She demanded incentives and sought simplification of existing procedures to lure larger participation of domestic industry in power generation, pointing out that a good number of players are already prepared to plung into generating power, provided suitable policy framework is laid out.

Among others who spoke on the occasion included Mr. K C Mehra, Chairman, ASSOCHAM KM Organizing Committee, Mr. Harinder Sikka, Director Corporate Affairs, Piramal Healthcare and Mr. D S Rawat, Secretary General ASSOCHAM.