NECESSITY TO MAKE USE OF GREEN ENERGY MANDATORY IN INDIA

Written by: Shreya Grover

‘A transition to green energy is about making an investment in our future’

Renewable or green energy sources are non-conventional energy sources which are the need of
the hour. Renewable energy sources have a tremendous contribution in the reduction of
greenhouse gases emission along with having several socio-economic advantages when
compared to carbon-based fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources are the answer to India’s
energy demands which are growing and are expected to grow exponentially in the future. India's
median age is 27 years, having a considerable amount of youth population it will need to satisfy
their growing energy needs. For economic as well as environmental reasons India needs to shift
to non-polluting renewable sources of energy to meet future demand for electricity. Renewable
energy is the most attractive investment because it will provide long-term economic growth for
India.

India is the world's fourth-largest carbon emitter with its population of 1.3 billion people with
power sector contributing majorly to the same. As part of the initial commitments to the Paris
Climate Accord, India plans to reduce its carbon emission intensity and is working towards
producing 40% of its installed electricity capacity by 2030 from non-fossil fuels. Hence through
renewable energy India is looking forward to bringing down its greenhouse gasses emissions
ushering socio-economic change.

Solar is the prime free source of inexhaustible energy available to all. And, India is one of the
sun’s most favored nations, blessed with almost 300 sunny days which are a boon for the solar
energy industry in India. India should take full advantage of this golden opportunity because
renewable energy has particular relevance in remote and rural areas, where there are around 289
million people who don’t have access to reliable sources of energy. Solar energy is the most
cost-effective option for India to reduce energy poverty without having to extend national grid
services to provide power for individual homes and buildings. India has been also blessed by a
coastline of 7500 km that can provide massive commercial wind farms to harness the strong
onshore costal area and offshore wind to boost the country’s supply of clean renewable energy.
All energy sources have some impact on our environment. Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural
gas—do substantially more harm than renewable energy sources by most measures, including air
and water pollution, damage to public health, wildlife and habitat loss, water use, land use, and
global warming emissions. Most mechanisms for generating electricity release carbon dioxide
and other greenhouse gases – gases that absorb and emit radiation – into Earth’s atmosphere.
While small quantities of carbon dioxide exist naturally in the atmosphere, the generation of
electricity has greatly increased the presence of greenhouse gases in the planet’s atmosphere. An
overwhelming majority of scientists believe that this contributes to an unnatural degree of global
warming that has the potential to affect the global climate, destroy animal populations and
change local ecosystems.

Energy sources such as nuclear energy produce dangerous solid wastes. Some sources of
radioactive waste remain radioactive for thousands of years, which means the waste can cause
cancer and genetic mutations in humans and animals. Radioactive waste may alter the soil’s
chemical composition, making it unsafe for local wildlife and potentially killing off plant
species. No power generation system can be perfect. India is facing an acute energy scarcity
which is hampering its industrial growth and economic progress. Thus, it is essential to tackle the
energy crisis through judicious utilization of abundant renewable energy resources available.
India is heavily dependent on fossil fuels for its energy needs. Most of the power generation is
carried out by coal and mineral oil-based power plants which contribute heavily to greenhouse
gases emission. Energy is a necessity and sustainable renewable energy is a vital link in
industrialization and development of India. A transition from conventional energy systems to
those based on renewable resources is necessary to meet the ever-increasing demand for energy
and to address environmental concerns.

There is an urgent need for transition from petroleum-based energy systems to one based on
renewable resources to decrease reliance on depleting reserves of fossil fuels and to mitigate
climate change. In addition, renewable energy has the potential to create many employment
opportunities at all levels, especially in rural areas. An emphasis on presenting the real picture of
massive renewable energy potential, it would be possible to attract foreign investments to herald
a Green Energy Revolution in Indi