'India Delivers': UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell Hails India As A 'Solar Superpower'

United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell has praised India as a "solar superpower", highlighting the country’s rapid expansion in renewable energy and urging it to develop an ambitious, economy-wide climate plan to boost its economic rise further, reported PTI.

Stiell, who is in India to attend the ET Global Business Summit, lauded India's efforts in mitigating climate change, emphasising that while some governments only talk, "India delivers".

Stiell acknowledged India's significant progress in solar energy, noting that it is one of only four countries to have installed more than 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar power. 

He pointed out that India electrified all its villages by 2018, well ahead of schedule, improving access to energy for millions.

"India is already a solar superpower, one of only four countries to have installed more than 100 gigawatts of solar... Energy access is on the rise with villages across the country electrified by 2018, well ahead of schedule," he was quoted as saying by PTI.

He said that India has a unique opportunity to take the next step and unlock even greater benefits for its 1.4 billion people and its economy.

He added that a stronger embrace of the global clean energy boom will only accelerate India’s economic growth and industrialisation.

He said the world's fifth-largest economy is well-positioned to reap the benefits of ambitious, economy-wide climate plans.

The UN climate chief added that India's leaders have a rare opportunity to deepen whole-of-economy industrial strategies that would make the fast-developing South Asian nation a dominant force in clean energy and industry.

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