Solar Mission dependent on strong manufacturing base: Govt

Government on Thursday said "the success of the National Solar Mission will depend on the emergence of a strong manufacturing base of new and renewable energy in the country."

Government on Thursday said "the success of the National Solar Mission will depend on the emergence of a strong manufacturing base of new and renewable energy in the country."

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"Many foreign companies have visited us and said that unless India creates its own domestic market, we would not like to set up manufacturing units in India, robust local manufacturing base is essential for the success of the mission," New and Renewable Energy Ministry Secretary Deepak Gupta said in New Delhi.He was addressing a seminar on implementing the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar mission.

The mission aims to generate 20,000 MW of grid interactive solar power in a three-stage plan by the end of the 13th Five-year Plan in 2022.

Noting that India has the potential of being the future manufacturing hub for new energy products, Gupta said, "We have indicated the size (of the mission to the industry) and we are creating conditions to set up manufacturing facilities in New Delhi and it will enable us to attain the size we are contemplating."

Pointing out that the Ministry was aggressively pursuing Research and Development projects, he said "several such projects were cleared and international tie-ups were also being done for the purpose."

Gupta also urged the Industry to work on cutting the costs of solar products and make them more competitive in the market.

On the possibility of delays in implementing the mission, he said the New and Renewable Energy Ministry will work closely with the State Government agencies to "make sure that delays do not take place."

Gupta said "the guidelines for the project were being finalised and were likely to be issued soon."