Alliance to boost solar energy

By LEMACH LAVARI
PAPUA New Guinea is now a founding member of the International Solar Alliance and can get help to develop solar energy, Energy Minister Sam Basil says.
Basil said the Government was focused on developing renewable energy. “As a country, we cannot do it alone. We need to partner with international organisations and governments. The Solar Alliance is one that we are part of,” he said.
“The (new Government) Energy Policy will ensure we participate in the association so that we can have access to equipment and technology for affordable prices.” Basil said the International Solar Alliance was made up of more than 121 countries, most of whom experienced a lot of sunshine.
The primary objective of the alliance is to work towards the efficient use of solar energy to reduce the need for fossil fuels.
It is an initiative of India and France.
Basil indicated Papua New Guinea’s interest to become a member of the association last year during a visit to India.
Basil told the Petroleum and Energy Summit in Port Moresby on Tuesday that he attended in New Delhi the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance.
He said the conference reaffirmed the association’s goals of helping member countries to focus on renewable energy especially solar for their needs and reducing carbon emissions as a way to mitigate climate change.