“3000 MW solar thermal power project will be a game changer”

“I asked a senior official of Clinton Climate Initiative to meet Chief Minister Modi. He visited and was happy with the response of the state. This meeting has resulted into a 3000 MW solar thermal power project which would be a game changer,” RK Pachauri, Nobel laureate said today speaking at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s book release function in Ahmedabad.

“All the equipments for this power station will be fabricated in Gujarat,” Pachauri added.

Pachauri further said, “I was in Morocco a month ago and I learnt that Europe wants major solar thermal power generation facilities in northern Africa from which power can be supplied to Europe. Industry and political leadership of Gujarat can take up such visionery projects, to yield major advantage in future.”

“The countries like South Korea, China and Germany are investing billions in Solar thermal power sector,” he added.

Major points that Mr. Pachauri raised in his speech:

-Thousands of initiative of this state(Gujarat) should be reciprocated by other states.

-There is no place for doubt at this moment, because climate change is a reality. Most of the warming in last several years is due to concentration of green house gases.

-One minister gave an example that if you want to cross a bridge, and there are 98 persons telling you that there’s no risk doing it, but suppose just two persons tell you that crossing this bridge would be risky, you would not venture to go and cross that bridge. At this point of time, one should not have any doubt and should not demand scientific proof anymore for climate change. There is danger of climate change and it is factual.

-Climate change increases floods, drought, heat wave. Look at what’s happening in Europe. We are now seeing many more diversions in established pattern of climate. Ocean acidification is increasing. Our oceans continued to accept our sins, but till when the oceans would continue to bear our load.

-Gujarat has wealth of mangrove, and they are the first line of defense against number of problems you have.

-Two months ago I was in Guatemala their disaster management system is very good and there should be some collaboration.

-Shri Modi should visit TERI campus in New Delhi and in Gurgaon to see the alternative energy efficient projects there.