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Energy Scenario in India with, the issue of climate change would Table 1 summarizes the energy shortage
not be solved. Future economic growth in India over the years.
Climate change is one of the key crucially depends on the long-term
challenges that we are facing in availability of energy from sources that The country lacks sufficient
this century. Climate change, as a are easily accessible.Today, India can domestic energy resources, particularly
phenomenon caused by historical well be identified as an energy guzzler. of petroleum and natural gas, and
concentration of greenhouse gases The demand for power is growing must import much of its growing
(GHGs) in the atmosphere over a period exponentially, and the scope of growth requirements. Moreover, inadequate
of time, is a cause of concern for the of this sector is immense. India is spread coal supplies could delay India’s power
entire global community. Its effect on over a geographic area of 3.28 million generation plans, thereby derailing
developing countries is particularly km2, occupying almost 2.3% of the the country’s economic growth. Hence,
adverse as their capacity and resources world’s land area, and holds nearly 18% of it is crucial that India builds its own
to deal with this challenge is limited. At the world’s population.Thus, the nation capacity and reduce dependence on
the same time, energy use, which is the is under great stress to ably maintain a imports. It is essential for India to shift to
primary source of global GHG emissions, sustainable development pathway. renewable energy sources to confront
is increasing at unprecedented rates. the challenges of climate change and
This poses a serious dilemma in front of The energy sector in the country has energy security in India. However, it is
the country that can only be reconciled witnessed a rapid growth, with total seen that renewable energy in India is
with new and improved clean energy installed capacity of electricity generation still in its nascent stage, and it is crucial
technologies to balance climate change expanding from 42 584.72 MW at the to understand the issues associated with
mitigation and increased energy needs. end of the Sixth Plan to 288 664.97 MW the same.
by the end of the Twelfth Plan (February
The reliance of the world on fossil fuels 2017). Despite impressive growth in the India presently has severe electricity
and their increasing consumption has led generation capacity since independence, shortage. It needs massive additions
to the present scenario. Unless the issue India has always experienced shortage in in capacity to meet the demand of
of energy with all its implications is dealt terms of peaking capacity requirement. its rapidly growing economy as well
as population. As already mentioned,
energy future 13 january–march 2017
not be solved. Future economic growth in India over the years.
Climate change is one of the key crucially depends on the long-term
challenges that we are facing in availability of energy from sources that The country lacks sufficient
this century. Climate change, as a are easily accessible.Today, India can domestic energy resources, particularly
phenomenon caused by historical well be identified as an energy guzzler. of petroleum and natural gas, and
concentration of greenhouse gases The demand for power is growing must import much of its growing
(GHGs) in the atmosphere over a period exponentially, and the scope of growth requirements. Moreover, inadequate
of time, is a cause of concern for the of this sector is immense. India is spread coal supplies could delay India’s power
entire global community. Its effect on over a geographic area of 3.28 million generation plans, thereby derailing
developing countries is particularly km2, occupying almost 2.3% of the the country’s economic growth. Hence,
adverse as their capacity and resources world’s land area, and holds nearly 18% of it is crucial that India builds its own
to deal with this challenge is limited. At the world’s population.Thus, the nation capacity and reduce dependence on
the same time, energy use, which is the is under great stress to ably maintain a imports. It is essential for India to shift to
primary source of global GHG emissions, sustainable development pathway. renewable energy sources to confront
is increasing at unprecedented rates. the challenges of climate change and
This poses a serious dilemma in front of The energy sector in the country has energy security in India. However, it is
the country that can only be reconciled witnessed a rapid growth, with total seen that renewable energy in India is
with new and improved clean energy installed capacity of electricity generation still in its nascent stage, and it is crucial
technologies to balance climate change expanding from 42 584.72 MW at the to understand the issues associated with
mitigation and increased energy needs. end of the Sixth Plan to 288 664.97 MW the same.
by the end of the Twelfth Plan (February
The reliance of the world on fossil fuels 2017). Despite impressive growth in the India presently has severe electricity
and their increasing consumption has led generation capacity since independence, shortage. It needs massive additions
to the present scenario. Unless the issue India has always experienced shortage in in capacity to meet the demand of
of energy with all its implications is dealt terms of peaking capacity requirement. its rapidly growing economy as well
as population. As already mentioned,
energy future 13 january–march 2017
