Power grid for SAARC region will help in economic development of the region: Piyush Goyal
Updated: Oct 17, 2014 04:18:58pm
New Delhi, Oct 17 (KNN) A power grid for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region will strengthen the ties among the SAARC nations and help in economic development of the region, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy, Piyush Goyal said here today.
While addressing the inaugural session of the fifth meeting of the SAARC Energy Ministers, Goyal called for building SAARC power grid so that excess production of power in one region can easily be used to meet deficit elsewhere.
Goyal said “Rivers can flow only in one direction, but power can flow in the direction of our choice! I dream of a seamless SAARC power grid within the next few years. For example : Hydroelectric power generated in North East India could be transported via Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, on to Afghanistan or offshore wind projects could be set up in Sri Lanka’s coastal borders to power Pakistan or Nepal. The possibilities are limitless!”
He said this will not only strengthen the economic ties among the SAARC nations but also deepens the people to people relationship.
The Power Minister further stated that the economic sustainability of SAARC region is pillared on energy security as 30 per cent of the region’s energy demands are met through imports.
In order to resolve this, Goyal advocated a three pronged strategy by leveraging - Harnessing conventional and renewable sources of energy; building inter-connected transmissions grids; and forging efficacious power trading agreements.
SAARC is a robust market but constraints are primarily on the supply side as there are pockets where deficits persist, he said.
Highlighting the correlation between per-capita electricity consumption and Human Development Index (HDI) , the Power Minister said that the impact of electricity on human lives is profound ranging from healthcare to education to employment opportunities. The household per capita consumption of electricity within SAARC is mere 128 units versus global average of 3,045 units.
He called upon all member countries to take this as a challenge and we all should commit overselves for pushing up household per capita consumption. For rapid progress and prosperity of the SAARC region, it is imperative that the power sector be expanded to ensure universal access to electricity in the region, he added.
Giving details of intra-SAARC linkages established in the recent past, he gave examples of 1450 MW exchange between India and Bhutan, 500 MW between India and Bangladesh and 150 MW between India and Nepal. He said more interconnections with high capacity are being planned and implemented.
He also urged the member countries to develop more such interconnections and offered the India’s help to enhance production capacity so that member countries become exporters in the region.
Goyal said that SAARC has always played an important role in India’s foreign policy but the commitment was reaffirmed and revitalized after the formation of new Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said “Our Government recognizes the enormous potential of SAARC nations and we believe SAARC can be regional economic powerhouse.”
Earlier, Secretary General of SAARC Secretariat, Arjun B Thapa opened the meeting with his address. Apart from the host country India, Energy Ministers and senior officials from the SAARC member countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are participating in the meeting. (KNN/SD)
While addressing the inaugural session of the fifth meeting of the SAARC Energy Ministers, Goyal called for building SAARC power grid so that excess production of power in one region can easily be used to meet deficit elsewhere.
Goyal said “Rivers can flow only in one direction, but power can flow in the direction of our choice! I dream of a seamless SAARC power grid within the next few years. For example : Hydroelectric power generated in North East India could be transported via Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, on to Afghanistan or offshore wind projects could be set up in Sri Lanka’s coastal borders to power Pakistan or Nepal. The possibilities are limitless!”
He said this will not only strengthen the economic ties among the SAARC nations but also deepens the people to people relationship.
The Power Minister further stated that the economic sustainability of SAARC region is pillared on energy security as 30 per cent of the region’s energy demands are met through imports.
In order to resolve this, Goyal advocated a three pronged strategy by leveraging - Harnessing conventional and renewable sources of energy; building inter-connected transmissions grids; and forging efficacious power trading agreements.
SAARC is a robust market but constraints are primarily on the supply side as there are pockets where deficits persist, he said.
Highlighting the correlation between per-capita electricity consumption and Human Development Index (HDI) , the Power Minister said that the impact of electricity on human lives is profound ranging from healthcare to education to employment opportunities. The household per capita consumption of electricity within SAARC is mere 128 units versus global average of 3,045 units.
He called upon all member countries to take this as a challenge and we all should commit overselves for pushing up household per capita consumption. For rapid progress and prosperity of the SAARC region, it is imperative that the power sector be expanded to ensure universal access to electricity in the region, he added.
Giving details of intra-SAARC linkages established in the recent past, he gave examples of 1450 MW exchange between India and Bhutan, 500 MW between India and Bangladesh and 150 MW between India and Nepal. He said more interconnections with high capacity are being planned and implemented.
He also urged the member countries to develop more such interconnections and offered the India’s help to enhance production capacity so that member countries become exporters in the region.
Goyal said that SAARC has always played an important role in India’s foreign policy but the commitment was reaffirmed and revitalized after the formation of new Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said “Our Government recognizes the enormous potential of SAARC nations and we believe SAARC can be regional economic powerhouse.”
Earlier, Secretary General of SAARC Secretariat, Arjun B Thapa opened the meeting with his address. Apart from the host country India, Energy Ministers and senior officials from the SAARC member countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are participating in the meeting. (KNN/SD)
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