'Mission Innovation' christened by Modi: US Energy Secretary

Washington: When world leaders were trying to settle upon a name for the global initiative to accelerate clean energy innovation, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who came up with the catchy moniker of 'Mission Innovation', the US Energy Secretary has said.

"With regard to Prime Minister Modi, yes, it was very interesting. The 'Mission Innovation' goal of doubling energy R&D globally was being discussed.

"At that time we had a name for it that only one of those technical people in the Cabinet could love. When Prime Minister Modi heard about it, he just immediately zeroed in: let's call it Mission Innovation. And so was it done," US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said in an interview at the Washington Ideas Forum Hosted by the Atlantic and the Aspen Institute last week.

Under Mission Innovation, India has announced ambitious plans for deployment of 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022 which includes 100 GW of solar, 60 GW wind, 10 GW from Biomass and 5 GW from small hydro power.

India has also embarked on a mission of construction of 100 Smart Cities which includes a blueprint with adequate provision for use of renewables and energy efficient technology.

Other members of Mission Innovation are Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, European Union, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico. Norway, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.

Under this, each of the 20 participating countries and the European Union seek to double its governmental and/or state-directed clean energy research and development investment over five years.