The Ministerial-level Thematic Forum for UN High Level Dialogue on Energy 2021 (HLDE 2021) was held virtually from June 21-25, 2021. It is an initiative of United Nations-Energy (UN Energy).
- The main aim of HLDE 2021 is to promote the implementation of the energy-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- The Forums in HLDE 2021 held discussions around 5 themes – Energy access; Energy transition; Enabling Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through inclusive, just energy transitions; Innovation, technology and data; Finance and investment.
- The Ministerial Thematic Forums are being held in preparation for the High-level Dialogue on Energy during the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2021 in New York, USA.
India co-hosts Ministerial Thematic Forum for Energy Transition
India co-hosted the Ministerial Thematic Forum for Energy Transition along with 9 other countries – Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Nigeria, Poland, Spain, UK. These 10 countries were designated as Global Champions for the theme ‘Energy Transition’.
i.India previewed an ‘Energy Compact’ involving the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to promote transition to solar power in developing countries. ‘Energy Compacts’ are voluntary targets and initiatives set by governments, business and others at the end of each discussion on a particular theme to support implementation of SDG7.
ii.The participants launched the Theme Report on Energy Transition, which puts forth several recommendations for speeding up Energy Transition across the world.
iii.India is set to organize a webinar on “Women in Renewable Energy and Sustainability” in collaboration with the International Solar Alliance on July 7, 2021.
R K Singh releases ‘The India Story’ booklet on Energy Transition
India hosted the event ‘Accelerating Citizen Centric Energy Transition’ on the sidelines of the Ministerial-level Thematic Forum for HLDE 2021.
i.The event was organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of India (PMI) to the United Nations and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).
ii.Minister of State (I/C) for Power, New and Renewable Energy, R K Singh addressed the event and launched a booklet called ‘The India Story’, it is a compilation of Indian initiatives which are shaping India’s energy transition.
iii.He also launched a website (www.energytransition.in), which will act as a repository of energy transition related knowledge resources from across the globe.
Highlights of his speech
i.R K Singh stated that India’s renewable energy capacity is the 4th largest in the world. Since 2017, the annual renewable energy addition of India has been exceeding that of coal based thermal power.
- During the last 6 years (2016-21), India’s installed renewable energy capacity has increased by over two and a half times and stands at 141 GigaWatts (including large Hydro). This is about 37% of India’s total capacity (as on 16th June 2021).
- During the same period, the installed solar energy capacity has increased by over 15 times, and stands at 41.09 GW.
ii.He highlighted the investment opportunities in India’s RE sector.
- Over the last 7 years, more than USD 70 billion has been invested in India’s renewable energy sector.
- India allows 100% FDI through the automatic route in the renewable energy sector.
- The Government has developed the Renewable Energy Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (REIPFB) Portal with an aim of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in the Renewables Energy sector of India.
iii.The Union Minister also highlighted recent initiatives in the renewable energy sector such as Viability Gap Funding options for Offshore Wind Energy, launching of Green Term Ahead Market and Green Day Ahead Market.
Fact – India has set a target of 450 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030.
About UN-Energy
Co-Chairs – Achim Steiner (Administrator of United Nations Development Programme) & Damilola Ogunbiyi (Special Representative of the Secretary General for Sustainable Energy for All)
