India’s G-20 energy meet to balance renewables, fossil fuels

Bengaluru, Feb. 5 (BNA): Over 500 energy industry heavyweights and 30,000 participants will descend on the southern Indian city of Bengaluru on Monday to discuss the future of renewables and fossil fuels at India Energy Week the first big ticket event of the country's presidency of the Group of 20 leading economies.

Speakers will discuss the need to ramp up the transition to clean energy. But the overwhelming presence of oil and gas industry stakeholders has raised questions from climate analysts.

"This event will showcase India as a global powerhouse for energy transition," said Hardeep Singh Puri, India's minister for petroleum and natural gas, the AP reported.

But Puri added that "India's clean energy targets needs to be weighed against the country's growing economy and rising energy requirements." The country is set to become the world's most populous nation this year.

India is currently the third highest emitter of planet-warming gases but has pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2070 and dramatically ramp up its renewable energy capacity.

India Energy Week runs Feb. 6-10 and will coincide with the first meeting of the G-20 energy transition working group. The Asian ministerial energy roundtable, where energy ministers from key Asian countries will meet, will also be held as part of the event in Bengaluru.

M.I.