$4m project launched to promote clean energy among SMEs

The MSME ministry on Friday launched a USD 4-million project in association with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy among small and medium enterprises.

"Of the total funding, the ministry will provide USD 3 million and grant of USD 1 million will come from the GEF for a period of three years to help small units to use clean energy and become energy efficient," MSME secretary Madhav Lal said at a FICCI function here.

"It is crucial to change the way we produce, consume and invest and private sector can play an important role in catalysing innovations in clean technology," GEF CEO and chairperson Naoko Ishii said.

Stating the need for these SMEs to become globally competitive, the MSME Secretary said, "We are considering to use industry associations as the platform for creating awareness among their members about saving energy and benefits of adoption of green technology innovation."

The key activities of the Cleantech programme include mentoring and training, linking of value chain, technological transfer and upgradation, access to capital and scaling up.

"We aim that by 2025 all energy consuming MSMEs in the country shall be energy efficient and will be using clean energy," Development Commissioner in the MSME ministry Amarendra Sinha said.

The project will adapt an inter-disciplinary approach involving SME clusters, national ministries, industrial associations, state governments, partner agencies and autonomous research centres in India and abroad to promote innovative technologies in energy-intensive SME clusters.