NEW DELHI: A new energy policy is being prepared by NITI Aayog and will be ready in the next three months that will lay greater emphasis on solar energy and natural gas for the country’s energy mix.
“The draft of the energy policy has already been prepared and we are in talks with the various energy ministries now. This should be issued as a policy in 10-12 weeks,” a senior official of the NITI Aayog said on Friday.
The official noted the new energy policy has several changes as compared to the earlier energy policy formed by the erstwhile Planning Commission in UPA-II regime. This policy will replace the earlier Integrated Energy Policy that was approved by the Cabinet during UPA regime.
“In this policy we are going to give a lot more emphasis on solar energy as the cost of electricity from solar has come down drastically. Natural gas will also get due importance,” said the official.
The official also said that the policy will also make a case of ‘polluter pays’ in view of deteriorating air quality, industrial emission and vehicular pollution. He added that the policy will also try to address air quality concerns, “specific to India.”