Incredible India, renewables to power the way for 300 million people
Incredible India, renewables to power the way for 300 million people. In just eight months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shaken the foundations of India's energy sector and declares it is no longer business as usual. Today, 300 million Indians live without access to electricity - that is 13 times the entire population of Australia. As astonishing as this figure is, it is actually an improvement since 1991 when there were an estimated 499 million living without electricity. Lifting nearly 200 million out of energy poverty has been notable but the distribution of access has clearly favoured urban centres where 94% of residents have electricity versus 67% in rural areas. Electricity is just another indicator of the growing wealth divide in India, an issue Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to tackle head on. Modi appears to be a pluralist in regards to energy policy. He recognises the challenge of climate change, but also the need to lift people out of energy poverty in a fashion that is affordable and in the nation's best interest. (VIEW LINK)
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