INDIA TO ADD 35 GIGAWATTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY POWER GENERATION BY 2015

India has announced plans to create an additional 35 gigawatts of renewable power generation by 2015.

With a price tag of about US$55 billion, India, which currently generates 16.5 megawatts of renewable power, will seek funding from private firms.

 In a country that is struggling to keep its cities and towns powered, reporting up to 12 percent shortfall during peak consumption hours the move towards renewable has been deterred by the high costs of solar and nuclear options.

However, with global pressure to address its carbon footprint India is showing a commitment to change. According to the Economic Times, in addition to tariff subsidies, tax breaks and loans to companies building alternative energy power plants the government has plans to increase "solar and nuclear power generation to 20 gigawatts each by 2022."