India likely to spend $1 trillion on power by 2030: Piyush Goyal

Sydney: India is expected to spend a whopping USD 1 trillion (about Rs 65 lakh crore) by 2030 on ramping up its power infrastructure as one of the world's largest energy consumers aims to provide 24/7 electricity to its citizens.

The power sector in the country is at an inflection point and the focus is on developing an integrated outlook with transparent policies on tariffs and fuel pricing which enhance the ease of doing business, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said here.

"When the world is witnessing a depressed economic atmosphere and there is almost no growth, India is a shining spot. We will use this image and further strengthen it to invite countries such as Australia to invest in the country," he told PTI on the sidelines of the India-Australia Energy Dialogue.

India and Australia should come together and invest in several fields, with energy being an important dimension. India's focus is on LNG for power plants, coal mining, clean coal technologies, renewable energy, R&D as well as tie-ups with premier research institutes, he added.

"We are a very big and growing market. It is estimated that India will spend around Rs 65 lakh crore on the power sector in the next 15 years to meet its growing demands and providing clean, affordable and 24/7 electricity to its citizens," said Goyal, who also holds the Coal and Renewable Energy portfolios.

Goyal is leading a high-level government delegation to deliberate with Australian government and businesses on ways to increase their participation in India's power sector. An industry delegation, led by business chamber CII, is also accompanying the minister.

India has set an ambitious plan to add 175 GW of renewable energy generation capacity by 2022. The country aims to have 100 GW of solar power by 2022 along with 260 GW of thermal and nuclear generation and 62 GW of hydro generation capacity.

As per International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates, India would invest about USD 845 billion in T&D (transmission and distribution) networks between 2015 and 2040 to ensure universal access to power for customers.

Explaining the steps taken by his ministry to provide clean energy, the minister said India has one of the toughest regulations on thermal power.

"Our Prime Minister has pledged his commitment towards protecting the environment and we are working on his vision. Our norms on thermal power are more stringent that those in some of the developing countries," he noted.

The minister said for India to further strengthen its position on creating a sustainable environment and at the same time expand the economy, it has to seek cooperation from countries working on clean energy technologies and utilise them.