TFP Bureau, Raipur; September 16, 2024: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the fourth Global Renewable Energy Investor’s Meet and Expo (RE-Invest 2024) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on September 16. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the high-profile event, underscoring the state’s commitment to boosting India’s renewable energy output and achieving the national target of 500 gigawatts by 2030.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Shri Sai emphasized Chhattisgarh’s increasing contribution to renewable energy, with 15% of its current electricity coming from clean sources and ambitious plans to raise this figure to 45% in the coming years. He highlighted various green energy projects in the state, including solar, hydroelectric, and biogas initiatives, which are helping drive the state’s clean energy transformation.
Shri Sai also commended Prime Minister Shri Modi’s leadership in the renewable energy sector, describing the initiative as a game-changer for related industries while addressing global climate challenges. He noted that the Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) is actively promoting solar and non-conventional energy sources, particularly in the state’s remote and forested regions.
“Chhattisgarh has tremendous potential for renewable energy development, and we are committed to contributing significantly to the national renewable energy targets,” said Shri Sai. He added that the state had made remarkable strides, with over 2,500 government buildings, residential schools, and health centers now powered by solar energy. These efforts were recognized globally when Chhattisgarh received international acclaim in 2018.
Among the state’s flagship projects, Shri Sai mentioned a solar power plant on railway land between Raipur and Bhilai that powers local trains. The state is also planning a 100 kW geothermal power plant in Tatapani, Balrampur district. CREDA has installed more than 150,000 solar irrigation pumps and 230 solar-powered community irrigation systems, as well as 25,000 solar drinking water pumps benefiting over 6.5 lakh families.
Additionally, the state has commissioned several small hydroelectric plants, generating 75 MW of power, with 37 more projects in the pipeline. Shri Sai reaffirmed Chhattisgarh’s commitment to the national goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2070, highlighting renewable energy’s pollution-free and sustainable benefits.
The RE-Invest 2024 expo saw participation from Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka, as well as international partners such as Australia, Denmark, Germany, and Norway. The event, organized by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, serves as a platform to showcase India’s renewable energy potential and attract global investments.
Gujarat Governor Shri Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, and Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi were among the key dignitaries present, alongside Chief Ministers of various Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. Chhattisgarh’s Energy Department Secretary Shri P. Dayanand and CREDA CEO Shri Rajesh Singh Rana also attended.
