"A working group on new and renewable energy has been established under the India-Japan Energy Dialogue to coordinate cooperation activities in new and renewable energy," Junior Indian Minister for New and Renewable Energy Vilas Muttemwar told Parliament Tuesday.

He said the first meeting of the working group was held June 28 in New Delhi wherein it was decided that both sides would explore ways to further cooperate in the field of new and renewable energy.

"New and renewable energy has been assuming increasing significance in recent times with the growing concern for the country's energy security and environment. Bulk of the energy needs of the common man comes from renewable energy resources, mainly agro and forest residues as well as animal wastes," he said.

He said more than 4 million family-sized biogas plants, 1.4 million solar photovoltaic systems for lighting and other applications, and solar thermal systems covering 2 million square meters had been added to the electricity grids. Besides, about 11,000 megawatts of power from renewables has been added to the electricity grids, he said.