India to help Maldives in transmission interconnection for renewable power transfer

New Delhi, April 27 (IANS) India and Maldives on Tuesday proposed to establish transmission interconnection for renewable power transfer as part of 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' initiative to facilitate Maldives' energy transition programme.

A draft agreement is being prepared for MoU on transmission interconnection under which a technical team from India would visit Maldives to assess its technical feasibility.

Thereafter a detailed project report, including for undersea cable route survey and network augmentation, in Male (capital of Maldives) would be prepared jointly with Indian and Maldives agencies.

This was announced when the Maldives' Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Aminath Shauna, met India's Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh in New Delhi.

Energy transition programme is an important step in combating climate change by shifting from fossil fuels to greener options, including renewable energy.

Singh appreciated the resolve of the Maldives government to achieve net zero emission target by 2030. Apart from the MoU on transmission interconnection under 'One Sun, One World, One Grid', the two leaders also proposed another MoU on energy cooperation.

Maldives' Environment Minister also met Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who too appreciated the climate actions taken by Maldives.

Stressing the importance of concrete action on adaptation in tackling climate change, Yadav asserted that "India and Maldives should join hands to fight climate change to ensure climate justice to all, especially to the developing countries".

Both sides agreed to further strengthen ongoing bilateral cooperation between India and Maldives not only for combating environmental issues and climate change, but also explore for enhancing cooperation for greater economic integration.