India has offered its support and expertise in setting up renewable energy projects for Chile, which is almost entirely dependent on imports for its energy needs.
The offer was extended during a meeting between visiting Indian Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah and Chile's Energy Minister Jorge Bunster. Both the countries have agreed to enhance their cooperation in the renewable energy sector.
"Abdullah offered India's support and expertise to Chile in setting up renewable projects. He offered the services of Indian experts and institutions...Training of personnel and also preparation of projects for exploiting these technologies in Chile," an Indian government statement said here.
The Indian minister also offered training slots in India to Chilean scientists, engineers and technicians through ITEC programme, while expressing India's desire to cooperate with the Latin American country in renewable energy, it added.
Abdullah is visiting Chile along with a high level delegation to explore greater opportunities for cooperation and collaboration between India and Chile.
He said India is planning to add over 30 GW (gigawatt) of renewable energy to its energy mix in next 5 years, detailing the success of programmes on wind and solar energies.
Noting India's progress in the sector, Bunster said Chile is almost entirely dependent on imports for meeting its energy requirements and is looking to diversify by introducing a large component of renewable energy in its energy mix, according to the statement.
He said the Chilean government is looking to set up a 50 MW solar thermal generating capacity in the north of the country.
Abdullah also held a meeting with Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno Charme. The two ministers discussed variety of issues of bilateral interest, including the proposed visit of Chilean president to India in October.
Abdullah also met President of Chile Senate Jorge Pizzaro and addressed a meeting of the UN ECLAC in Santiago. He offered India's full support to the entire Latin American region in development of renewable energy.
