High Commission of India hosts renewable energy conference

The conference was attended by Dr Farooq Abdullah, Minister of New and Renewable Energy of India who led a delegation of Indian energy companies keen on investing in this sector in South Africa. South African Minister of Energy, Dipuo Peters, various local companies, academics, government representatives and other stakeholders were also expected to attend the event.

Both countries can benefit

India and South Africa are strategic partners and share common perceptions on contemporary global issues. As developing countries they can benefit by sharing of development experience and enhancing their economic linkages for mutual benefit. India have eight national missions, namely solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, sustaining Himalayan habitat, green India, sustainable agriculture, and strategic knowledge of climate change, which form the core of their National Action Plan, representing multi-pronged, long-term and integrated strategies for achieving key goals in the context of climate change.

India has noted with great interest the priority attention being provided to the development of renewable energy sector in South Africa. Given the shortage of oil and gas in India they also attach considerable importance to this sector, and government provides a wide range of incentives for the growth of this sector.