REA strengthens ties with India for decentralised energy

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to develop decentralised energy systems. The REA and India’s non-governmental organisation Climate Parliament have partnered to develop […]

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to develop decentralised energy systems.

The REA and India’s non-governmental organisation Climate Parliament have partnered to develop political and commercial links between the two countries with the intention of expanding access to decentralised energy.

Despite India’s renewable energy ambitions and its commitment to the Paris Agreement which entered into force last week, it faces significant issues in relation to electricity access, according to the REA.

A total of 237 million people lack access to electricity and 67% of its population of 1.3 billion is rural, it added.

The agreement was signed last week during a visit of six Indian MPs to the UK.

Niharika Krishna, South Asia Programme Co-ordinator at Climate Parliament said: “Considering the new Paris climate agreement, ambitious national renewable energy targets and the urgent need to expand access to clean heat and power systems, there is broad interest amongst Indian policy makers in developing decentralised energy systems.

“Each of the six MPs who took part in this trip to the UK already are actively developing decentralised energy systems in their home constituencies. During this trip they met a range of UK companies and keenly learned about solar, energy storage, biomethane and more.”

The UK and India have also announced the launch of a £10 million clean energy research and development (R&D) centre.

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