New Delhi: For contributions in sustainable energy solutions, a team from the University of Pennsylvania (United States) will award Union Finance Minister Piyush Goyal the Carnot prize on January 30. Goyal was to receive the award by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the university's School of Design in October last year. However, the former power minister missed the event because of the Amritsar tragedy last year, where 60 people lost their lives after being mowed down by a train.
Goyal, who previously oversaw power, coal, mines and new and renewable energy, is credited to have "reformed" the electricity sector, extending electricity access to about 18,000 villages in the country, as documented by the International Energy Agency.
"India has seen transformational changes in its power sector—including the fast-track electrification of nearly 18,000 villages in some of the most remote and inaccessible parts of the country," the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy said on its event page.
"Goyal's other projects include rolling out a comprehensive power sector reform plan, the world's largest LED bulb distribution program, and the world's largest renewable energy expansion program."
The Carnot Prize is meant to honour those who have revolutionised energy policy. The prize is named in memory of French scientist Sadi Carnot.