Power Ministers from 42 countries, 29 states attend 5-day Switch Global Expo-2016

Ahmedabad: Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said today that Gujarat has attained self-reliance in power sector and has become a surplus state with 25,303 MW power generation capacity. The state government has switched its priority to long-term plans to harness non-conventional sources of energy like solar, wind and atomic energy, in addition to coal and gas.

He said exuded confidence that Gujarat would remain in the forefront in the fields of research and development, adopting modern technology and skill development in making India self-reliant in power sector.

The Chief Minister was inaugurating the five-day Switch Global Expo-2016 at Vadodara with Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Renewable Energy, Coal and Mines Piyush Goyal as the Chief Guest.

He said that Gujarat has become a model state in the energy sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendrea Modi during his tenure as the Chief Minister. His concept of Panchshakti – including Urjashakti, Jalshakti, Janshakti, Rakshakti and Gyanshakti — has catapulted the state into the global map.

Mr. Rupani listed the 3-phase 24×7 uninterrupted electricity to 18,000 villages under Jyoti Gram Yojna in the state, setting up separate transformers for 5.24 lakh domestic and agricultural consumers, providing electricity connections to one lakh farmers in the dark zone during the last fouir years, upgrading electricity network in the tribal areas at a cost of Rs. 320-crore and in the coastal areas at a cost of Rs.200-crore, 1,000 MW solar power plant at Chanasma, canal-top solar power panels, rooftop solar panels in the state capital at Gandhinagar and canal-based micro-hydro turbines are some of the highlights.

Even as Gujarat had become a petrochemical hub earlier, he said that Vadodara now produced about 23 per cent of electrical equipment in the country.

Power Ministers from 42 countries, Power Ministers from 29 states and Mines Ministers in India are participating in the exhibition jointly organized by Government of India, Gujarat Government and FGI to discuss ways to exchange and share developments. About 8,500 sellers and buyers from across the world are participating in the exhibition of nearly 100 new inventions.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Piyush Goyal lauded Gujarat’s initiatives in the field of electricity, including the latest project to distribute 2.48-crore LED bulbs in the state to save energy. He said that India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown new ways to the world in contemporary initiatives like Skill Development and Climate Change.

Gujarat’s Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that Switch Global Expo-2016 would draw global attention in application of advanced technology in electricity ultimately benefitting the consumers, far and wide.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Gujarat’s Energy Minister Chimanbhai Saparia, Minister of State Pradeepsinh Jadeja, CII President-Designate Shobana Kamineni, Central Government Energy Sources Secretary Upendra Tripathi.

A booklet on Climatic Innovations in ISA Countries’ about the future of solar power was released on the occasion.

– Information