India today called for evolving a workable solution for promoting energy efficiency and market viability of clean energy intitiatives for faster transition to a global clean energy economy.

Inaugurating the 4th Clean Energy Ministerial in New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh termed as unfortunate the slow progress of discussions on climate change at the UNFCC.

Dr. Singh said, developing countries need vast sources of energy to support economic growth. The Prime Minister stressed on reducing the cost of solar energy, wind energy and other renewable energy production to ensure market viability of clean energy initiatives.

Dr. Singh said, India is actively pursuing clean energy initiatives and the 12th five year plan includes a low carbon strategy for the nation.

He said,efforts are on to expand solar and wind energy projects and the country envisages achieving 22 thousand megawatt solar energy capacity under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.

He said, 1500 megawatts solar capacity have already been installad and another 10,000 megawat will be added by 2017 in two years time.

The Prime Minister also said that the National Institute of Solar Energy will be set up in India by 2015 to promote solar energy innovation.

Dr. Manmohan Singh also invited global investments for setting up solar energy manufacturing units in India.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon today praised India for its target of increasing solar energy eight-fold by the end of 2017.

In his message to the ongoing Clean Energy Ministerial in New Delhi,he asked the government and private sector to work towards promoting clean energy initiatives for the benefit of future generations.