India-Turkey To Enhance Co-op In Renewable Energy

New Delhi, June 27, IRNA -- India and Turkey agreed to enhance their cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy. This was decided at a meeting held between the Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz and Farooq Abdullah, Minister of New and Renewable Energy in Ankara today, said an official release issued here today. Abdullah is visiting Turkey along with a high level delegation to explore greater opportunities for cooperation and collaboration between Indian and Turkey. Abdullah briefed his counterpart on the energy situation in India and India’s plans to add over 30 GW of renewable energy to its energy mix in the next 5 years. He also dwelt on the success of the wind program as well as the significant cost reductions in solar energy through the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). Abdullah offered India’s support and expertise to Turkey in setting up projects in wind, solar and hydro-power. He also offered training slots in India to Turkish scientists, engineers and technicians through the ITEC program. The Indian Minister expressed his country’s desire for a serious and meaningful cooperation with Turkey, especially in renewable energy and offered all possible assistance. The Turkish leader said that Ankara hopes to diversify its energy mix by introducing a large component of renewable. It has considerable potential in wind, hydro, solar and geothermal energy. It imports over 90 per cent of its oil, gas and fossil fuel requirement. Yildiz recognized India’s considerable achievements and strengths in renewable energy and noted that India had made large strides in this field. He expressed the Turkish government’s desire to set up large generating as well as manufacturing capacities in renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar./end