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Indo-US tie-up on smart grids, super-critical tech on anvil

August 4: India is working to collaborate with the US on technology for energy efficiency, smart grids and super-critical thermal power plants.

Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy, said this recently on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Goyal met US Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman and US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker on July 30 to discuss bilateral issues.

This was Goyal’s first minister-level interaction with these two officials and the Indian minister said: “We are keen to re-energise our partnership,” while emphasising on the Modi government’s commitment to providing 24x7 power to all homes, industrial and commercial establishments, with a particular focus on renewable energy.

“We are working to collaborate with USA on technology for energy efficiency, smart grids and super critical thermal power plants,” Goyal informed.

He stressed on the need for low-cost long-tenor financing for making viable renewable energy projects, particularly solar.

He said that India was committed to moving beyond signing of MoUs to on-ground execution and action, stressing that the Indo-US partnership in this regard would yield accelerated results.

Goyal also recently met Edward Davey, UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, in a bid to partner with this country on harnessing India's true energy potential, particularly in the renewable sector (solar, wind etc).

Officers on both sides are working on the modalities of the plan. “I'm confident our partnership will yield extremely fruitful results,” Goyal tweeted.