Self reliant India: Renewable energy as an emerging alternative for country's self reliance in energy sector

Abstract

India's electricity sector is dominated by fossil fuels, in particular coal. During the fiscal year 2019-20, fossil fuels produced more than threefourth (1044.44 GWh of total 1385.1 GWh) of the country's total generation. The government is making efforts to increase investment in renewable energy. Share of renewables in India's total installed capacity has increased from 12.25% as on 31 March 2012 to 23.45% by 31 March 2020. Similarly, the share of renewable energy sources in country's electricity generation is gradually increasing and it has reached to 9.96% in FY 2019-20 which was only 5.83% during FY 2013-14. Renewable sources have emerged as an environment friendly and potential energy resource. India is blessed with suitable conditions for renewables, as the number of sunny days is more and having a 7517 km long coastal bank. Government is committed for faster growth of renewable sector and India is now ranked fourth in the world in total installed renewable capacity, which has become possible only because of remarkable efforts of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Therefore, for India to become self reliant in energy sector and to achieve the goal of sustainable development, the role of renewable energy is vital. Renewable energy can help a lot to achieve the dual objective of fulfulling the growing energy demand and curb the emission of pollutants and thus to comly with country's committment at international forums towards reduction of emission. In this way, renewable energy may be one of the best alternatives for sustainable development and self-reliance of India in energy sector.