Observing that climate change has become an urgent concern across the globe, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said ways and means should be developed to reduce India’s carbon footprint as it would be among the nations to be “most seriously” impacted.
“We need to develop ways and means to reduce our carbon foot-print through technological innovation. In our country, more than 50 per cent of power comes from coal-based generation, which is a major emitter of greenhouse gases,” he said.
Dedicating to the nation BHEL’s power plant piping unit and Unit-II high pressure boiler plant in this town near Tiruchirappalli, Dr Singh expressed happiness over BHEL’s initiatives for development of ultra super critical technology in line “with our mission for development of clean coal technologies.”
He said the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar mission seeks to develop 20,000MW of power generating capacity by the end of 13th Five Year plan, adding its success has the potential of enhancing India’s energy security, and “contributing handsomely to our efforts to combat climate change.”
“I sincerely hope that BHEL, which is bestowed with engineering expertise, manufacturing prowess and a commendable human resource base, will not only take the lead in solar energy in terms of power generation but also in the development of solar power technology in India.
“This is a difficult commercial decision, but well worth taking in the long term interest of our country,” he said.
He lauded his Cabinet colleague finance minister P. Chidambaram, saying he was instrumental in persuading BHEL, a maharatna PSU, to locate their new power plant piping unit at Thirum-ayam, falling under Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency.
He also commended Mr Chidambaram for “tirelessly striving” for the all-round development of the backward block of Thirumayam.