India has taken a lead in energy accessibility: Modi

Greater Noida, Feb 11 (IANS) India has taken a lead in energy accessibility and will achieve 100 per cent household electrification by the end of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

Addressing the Petrotech 2019 global energy conference here, Modi also noted the country's progress in moving to a gas-based economy by bringing clean cooking fuel to poor households.

"Electricity has already reached all rural areas. This year, the 100 per cent electrification of households will be achieved through the Saubhagya scheme," he said.

"Over 6.4 crore households were given LPG connections in just three years under the Ujjwala Scheme. A 'Blue Flame' revolution is underway and LPG coverage has reached more than 90 per cent of the population," said Modi.

Noting that "energy justice" is a priority for his government, the Prime Minister said: "India's World Bank Ease of Getting Electricity ranking had improved from 111 in 2014 to 29 in 2018."

Turning to the global energy situation, Modi said a "historic transition" is underway and the world needs to move towards more responsible pricing for oil and gas.

"Energy supply, energy sources and energy consumption patterns are changing, perhaps, this could be a historic transition. There is a shift in energy consumption from West to East," he said.

He emphasised the need to move towards transparent and flexible markets for both oil and gas.

"For far too long the world has seen crude prices on a roller coaster and called for responsible pricing of crude oil and natural gas, which balances the interests of both the producer and consumer," he said.