NEW DELHI: M Venkaiah Naidu, the Vice President of India, inaugurated GRIDTECH 2019 – International Exhibition and Conference organised by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited. Addressing the conference, Naidu said that moving to renewable energy would not just ensure energy security but also protect the climate and reduce pollution. He asked experts to look for new technologies to harness renewable energy to fulfill India’s energy demands and also to fulfill India’s international commitment to de-carbonise the electricity generation.
Naidu said that e-vehicles have the potential to save foreign exchange on crude oil import apart from reducing carbon emissions. He also called for inclusion of renewable energy provisions right from the planning of towns. Naidu opined that rapid urbanisation leads to increased energy demand and rise of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, and he urged technologists to find new methods for tapping the huge potential in the renewable energy sector and also asked them to educate the common man on the need to cut down GHG emissions.
The Vice President emphasised that connectivity and electricity are key to development and stressed upon the need to address challenges such as pilferages in transmission and distribution. He further said that a suitable transmission and distribution system needs to be developed to facilitate renewable integration.
Naidu, during the inauguration ceremony of the GRIDTECH 2019 exhibition, went around the stalls and interacted with the presenters. He said, he was glad to interact with students who were showcasing their innovative ideas to promote the use renewable energy.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Secretary, Ministry of Power, the officials of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, representatives from Conventional and Renewable energy sector, students from prestigious institutions such as the IITs and others were present on the occasion.