The Union Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy, Shri Bhagwanth Khauba has said that schemes like Production Linked Incentive for High Efficiency Solar Panel manufacturing with budget outlay of Rs. 24,000 crores will boost indigenous production of Solar Panels. The Minister exhorted the industry to be reasonable in pricing of solar modules and to not take undue advantage of basic customs duty by spiking domestic panel prices. The Minister also spoke of the need for ensuring competitive prices for domestic developers. The Minister said this while addressing the inaugural session of 1^st India Solar Manufacturing Summit, held in New Delhi today, December 15, 2023 and organized jointly by National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), Solar Power Europe, and EU India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership.

The Government of India thinks in a holistic manner, so as to ensure sustainability and a win-win situation for all, said the Minister. “The government is in continuous consultation with all stakeholders, taking inputs and listening to advice from everyone and then striving to ensure justice to everyone.”

On the occasion, the Minister launched a report on PV Supply Chain Resilience & Sustainability – India-EU Cooperation Study.

Shri Khaubha pointed out in his keynote address that solar manufacturing is an emerging sector, especially in India and that the nation has been both setting new targets at COP and attaining them, keeping in mind the needs of the growing population and the goal of attaining Net Zero by the year 2070. He also spoke about the mantra of Aatmanirbhar Bharat given by the Prime Minister and how world leaders including President of Russia Vladimir Putin are appreciating initiatives taken by the government of India, under the Prime Minister’s leadership. “Every sector needs to bring in self-reliance; government policies are being implemented in this direction, so as to promote investment opportunities in every sector.”

The Minister assured investors of a stable government and policy certainty in the years to come and exhorted them to tap into the opportunities available.

Industry representatives and officials from the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy were present for the event.

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PIB DELHI | Dheep Joy Mampilly