Latest news with #SouthCooperation
Mint
20-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Power minister calls for equitable access to energy resources globally
New Delhi: India has called for equitable access to energy resources globally as countries look for energy security amid geopolitical tensions. Union minister for power Manohar Lal told a Brics energy ministers' meeting in Brazil on Monday that energy security is one of the most pressing challenges and emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation in the southern grouping to ensure economic stability and sustainability. A statement from the ministry on Tuesday said he emphasized the need to promote equitable access to energy resources globally. It comes as countries are also looking at securing lithium and other critical mineral resources across the globe which are key for making modules used in solar power projects. India has also been working on making energy accessible for the least developed countries in Africa through the International Solar Alliance. He reaffirmed India's commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive energy future and appreciated Brazil's leadership under the theme, 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.' He emphasized the critical role of energy security, access and affordability in advancing global development goals. During the meeting, the minister said India has become the world's third-largest producer of solar and wind energy, and that it is moving towards achieving its nationally determined contribution (NDC) goals on greenhouse gas emissions. Speaking of developments across the clean energy space, he said that India has achieved a 20% ethanol blending milestone, advancing biofuel adoption and emissions reduction and is investing in smart grids, advanced metering infrastructure, and an expanded transmission network, including the green energy corridor, setting ambitious goals for green hydrogen and nuclear energy, including a 100GW nuclear capacity target by 2047 and launching a domestic carbon credit market. He also emphasized the role of the Global Biofuels Alliance in advancing cooperation in the biofuels sector and underscored India's commitment to energy efficiency through innovative programs such as the Energy Conservation Sustainable Buildings Code, rooftop solar initiatives, and efficient appliance standards. The Global Biofuels Alliance was launched in September 2023 in India during the G20 Summit with India, the US and Brazil as the founders. The alliance currently has 24 countries and 14 international organizations as members. At the same time, Lal underscored the role of fossil fuels in the global energy mix—especially for developing countries—and urged greater cooperation to promote their cleaner and efficient use through technologies such as coal gasification, carbon capture and storage, and green chemical innovations. The Brics energy ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening energy security and advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, focusing on universal electricity access, clean cooking and tackling energy poverty. They emphasized the need for just, inclusive and balanced energy transitions in response to climate change. While acknowledging the continued role of fossil fuels—particularly in developing countries—they stressed the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with SDG 7 and global climate targets guided by technological neutrality and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC). The ministers called for stronger partnerships, supported open, fair, and non-discriminatory international energy markets, and encouraged the use of local currencies in energy trade. They recognized the fundamental role of the Brics Energy Research Cooperation Platform and welcomed the updated Brics Roadmap for Energy Cooperation (2025-2030) as key to deeper collaboration. Affirming each country's right to determine its own energy transition path and pace, the ministers advocated efficient use of all energy sources and called for increased concessional and low-cost financing from developed to developing nations. They highlighted the role of the New Development Bank (NDB) in promoting sustainable energy infrastructure, especially through local currency financing. The ministers advocated adoption of fair, transparent, and consistent guidelines for assessing carbon intensity, energy classification and mutual recognition of taxonomies and certifications. Underscoring energy security as vital for socio-economic development, they highlighted the importance of market stability, resilient infrastructure, diversified energy sources and critical minerals for clean technologies. They reiterated the goal to double energy efficiency by 2030 and emphasized enhanced cooperation and knowledge sharing among Brics nations. They also committed to elevating Brics' global energy role and advancing shared priorities under India's chairmanship in 2026. Brics consists of 10 countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE.
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India leads call for inclusive energy governance at BRICS Energy Ministers' meet in Brazil
New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): Union Minister Manohar Lal, who led the Indian Delegation for the BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting hosted in Brasilia this week, highlighted energy security as one of the most pressing current challenges and emphasized the need to strengthen BRICS cooperation to ensure economic stability and sustainability, as well as to promote equitable access to energy resources globally. The Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs reaffirmed India's unwavering commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive energy future and lauded Brazil's leadership under the theme, 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.' He further emphasised the critical role of energy security, access, and affordability in advancing global development goals. Minister Manohar Lal showcased India's rapid progress in clean energy highlighting some of the key achievements, including a 90 per cent increase in electricity capacity over the past decade, reaching 475 GW in 2025 and targeting 900 GW by 2032; becoming the world's third-largest producer of solar and wind energy; marching fast towards achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); achieving a 20 per cent ethanol blending milestone, advancing biofuel adoption and emissions reduction; investing in smart grids, advanced metering infrastructure, and an expanded transmission network, including the Green Energy Corridor; setting ambitious goals for green hydrogen and nuclear energy, including a 100 GW nuclear capacity target by 2047. He also emphasised the role of the Global Biofuels Alliance in advancing cooperation in the biofuels sector and underscored India's commitment to energy efficiency through innovative programs such as the Energy Conservation Sustainable Buildings Code, rooftop solar initiatives, and efficient appliance standards. He underscored the vital role of fossil fuels in the global energy mix--especially for developing countries--and urged greater cooperation to promote their cleaner and efficient use through technologies such as coal gasification, carbon capture and storage, and green chemical innovations. In conclusion, Minister Manohar Lal extended an invitation to the BRICS nations to participate in the next BRICS Energy Gathering, scheduled for 2026 in India, reaffirming the country's commitment to leading the energy agenda for the Global South. During the meeting in Brasilia, the BRICS Energy Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening energy security and advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), focusing on universal electricity access, clean cooking, and tackling energy poverty. They emphasized the need for just, inclusive, and balanced energy transitions in response to climate change. They reaffirmed the goal to double energy efficiency by 2030 and emphasized enhanced cooperation and knowledge sharing among BRICS nations. (ANI)
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India reports 90% rise in power capacity in a decade; flags energy security at BRICS meet
New Delhi: Union Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal said India has registered a 90 per cent increase in electricity capacity over the past decade, reaching 475 GW in 2025, and is targeting 900 GW by 2032. He was addressing the BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting in Brasília, held under Brazil's Presidency. Leading the Indian delegation, the minister said energy security is one of the most pressing challenges and called for strengthened BRICS cooperation to ensure economic stability, sustainability and equitable access to energy. He reaffirmed India's commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive energy future and appreciated Brazil's leadership under the theme, "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance." He highlighted the role of energy access and affordability in supporting global development goals. Manohar Lal said India has become the world's third-largest producer of solar and wind energy. He said the country is progressing towards its Nationally Determined Contributions and has achieved a 20 per cent ethanol blending milestone. The minister also said investments are underway in smart grids, advanced metering infrastructure, and green energy corridors. He highlighted India's targets for green hydrogen and nuclear energy, including a 100 GW nuclear capacity goal by 2047. He said India has launched a domestic Carbon Credit Market and welcomed global collaboration. The minister also emphasized India's support for the Global Biofuels Alliance and domestic efficiency initiatives such as the Energy Conservation Sustainable Buildings Code, rooftop solar schemes, and appliance efficiency standards. He said fossil fuels continue to play an important role in the energy mix, especially for developing countries, and called for cooperation in promoting cleaner use through technologies such as coal gasification, carbon capture and storage, and green chemical innovations. The minister invited BRICS nations to participate in the next BRICS Energy Gathering, scheduled for 2026 in India. According to the joint communiqué, the BRICS Energy Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 7, which includes universal electricity access, clean cooking, and addressing energy poverty. They supported just and balanced energy transitions in response to climate change. The ministers said fossil fuels will continue to play a role, particularly in developing countries, and called for reducing greenhouse gas emissions guided by technological neutrality and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. The communiqué called for stronger energy partnerships, open and fair international energy markets, and the use of local currencies in energy trade. It recognized the role of the BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform and welcomed the updated BRICS Roadmap for Energy Cooperation (2025–2030). Ministers supported each country's right to determine its own energy transition path and called for concessional and low-cost financing. They noted the New Development Bank's role in supporting sustainable infrastructure, especially through local currency financing. The communiqué supported transparent carbon intensity guidelines and mutual recognition of taxonomies and certifications. It also reaffirmed the goal to double energy efficiency by 2030 and enhance BRICS cooperation under India's chairship in 2026.
