Sharma calls for enhanced use of renewable energy at Davos

Union minister of commerce and industry Anand Sharma has emphasised the need to enhance the usage of renewable and nuclear energy in the fuel mix, saying India had developed a National Action Plan on climate change, which laid a special thrust on solar technologies.

Bankers, regulators and politicians are meeting at the 40th World Economic Forum (WEF) meting in Davos to discuss, among others things, the need for stimulus measures to support economic growth.

The theme of this year's conference is "Improve the State of the World - Rethink, Redesign and Rebuild."

Addressing a session on "Rethinking Energy Security" yesterday, the minister further said that food security, climate change and energy security cannot be treated in isolation and are integrally linked.

He also outlined India's civil nuclear energy initiative citing it as a major milestone for ensuring sustainable and clean development path for an emerging economy such as India.

Incidentally, in December the government allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the renewable energy sector and has put in place a conducive policy to attract foreign companies in the sector (See: India allows 100 per cent FDI in renewable energy: Abdullah).