New Delhi, Jan 31 (Reporter) India’s renewable energy capacity has risen to 188 Gigawatt from 81 Gigawatt, President Droupadi Murmu said on Wednesday. Addressing a joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the first day of the Budget session, the President said, “In 10 years, non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity has increased from 81 Gigawatt to 188 Gigawatt.” “During this period, solar power capacity has increased by 26 times. Similarly, wind power capacity has doubled,” Murmu said. Highlighting that today world over, there is a special demand for products which are environment friendly, she said, “My government is emphasizing on ‘Zero Effect Zero Defect’. We are now giving a lot of focus to green energy.” “We are placed at fourth position in the world in terms of renewable energy installed capacity,” the President said. “We are ranked fourth in wind power capacity. We are at fifth position in solar power capacity,” Murmu said. She further mentioned that India has set a target of achieving 50 percent of its electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030. “In the last 10 years, 11 new solar parks have been built. Today, work is in progress on 9 solar parks,” Murmu said. The President said, “Just a few days ago, a new scheme for solar rooftop installations has been launched. 1 crore families will be provided assistance under this scheme. This will also reduce people’s electricity bills and surplus electricity generated will be purchased in the power market.” Work is also being done at a very fast pace in the field of nuclear energy. My government has approved 10 new nuclear power plants, Murmu said adding, “India is also progressing at a fast pace in the field of Hydrogen energy. So far, we have started two projects in Ladakh and Daman-Diu.” “My government has done unprecedented work in the field of ethanol. The country has achieved the target of 12 percent ethanol blending. The target of 20 percent ethanol blending is also going to be accomplished very soon. This will increase the income of our farmers,” she said. “Till now, government companies have procured ethanol worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore. All these efforts will reduce dependence on foreign countries for our energy needs,” the President said. “Just a few days ago, oil production has started in a new block in the Bay of Bengal. This is a big achievement for the country,” she added...////...