Given the limited access to natural resources, it is time that India looks for newer energy options that can check indiscriminate exploitation and make access to affordable and sustainable energy in the times to come a reality, writes Javed Anees
The balance between development and environment is the biggest challenge for humanity today. Demand for such models of development have been increasing across the world because it has the potential to meet our current needs without harming the environment.
India is one of the emerging economies of the world but is still depend primarily on coal, petroleum and natural gas and oil for our energy needs, which have their own limitations. First, they are way too expensive to have easy access. Second, they emit carbon in large quantities. These options are clearly not sustainable and the rate at which these natural resources are being utilised, they will soon be over. It is, therefore, bound to affect the environment as well as the generations to come.
In such a situation, it is time to move towards newer options of energy which can restrain indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources and make access to affordable and sustainable energy easier. These concerns of environmental protection have also been included in the concept of ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDG). Environmental protection in the SDGs has been considered as a part of economic development.
SDG 7 says: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
SDG 7.1 says: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
SDG 7.2 says: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
SDG 7.3 says: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
However, achieving the above mentioned goals is not easy. According to Niti Aayog, there are about 300 million people in India who do not have access to electricity. In September 2015, the then Union Minister of State for Coal, Power and New and Renewable Energy, Piyush Goyal, launched the ‘Access to Clean Cooking Energy and Electricity — Survey of States Report’.
In this survey, 8,566 households of 714 villages of 51 districts of six States (Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal) were included. According to the report, 78 per cent of the rural population in these States use conventional biomass fuel to cook food, and only 14 per cent of the rural households use clean energy to cook food.
In fact, India is in the initial phase of renewable energy, although the Niti Aayog has expressed hope that as the cost of renewable energy sources is declining, it can help achieve the goal of access to affordable and clean energy. At present, about 50 GW of electricity is generated through various sources of renewable energy in our country which has the targeted to double it (100 GW) by 2022.
Here, emphasis of the Union Government has been to provide lPG connections and electricity in rural areas through a number of schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched in 2016 with an aim to provide lPG connections to five crore poor women within a period of three years. The basic idea is to promote the use of lPG for cooking in rural areas, which will result in reduction of pollutants.
Similarly, under the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, a target has been made to provide electricity to every household by March 31, 2019. Solar energy can be a good option in this direction. Our country is an ideal place to produce solar energy because we have enough sunlight available for 250 to 300 days throughout the year.
For example, in Madhya Pradesh, which is very rich in natural resources, there are immense possibilities of innovative and renewable energy sources. In 2009, Madhya Pradesh was one of the first State to start work on the Climate Change Action Plan. In 2010, an independent Ministry was formed as the new and renewable energy department. Presently, 3200 MW of energy is being produced in the renewable energy sector.
The country’s largest 130 MW solar project has been set up in Neemuch district. In April last year, the Madhya Pradesh Government tied up with REWA Ultra Mega Solar project, in collaboration with three private companies under which a solar power plant of 750 MW will be installed at a cost of around Rs 5,000 crore.
The Government claims that this solar plant will provide electricity at a tariff of two rupee and 97 paise. It is likely to start by the end of this year.
Moving towards newer energy options is the demand of time which can restrain indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources and make access to affordable and sustainable energy in the times to come.
(Courtesy: Charkha Features)