A STUDY ON ELECTRICITY DEMAND AND RENEWABLE RESOURCES IN INDIA

Abstract

India is the 3rd largest consumer of energy in the world. Globally, natural gas contributes approximately
24% to the primary energy mix.1 However, in India; natural gas has a nominal share of 6.5% market share. As a part of
its “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions” (INDC), India has committed to reducing its carbon emissions
intensity to GDP by 33%–35% by 2030 from 2005 level.2 To meet this commitment while at the same time supporting its
economic growth trajectory, India needs to add cleaner sources of energy to its fuel mix. Renewable energy sources and
technologies have potential to provide solutions to the longstanding energy problems being faced by the developing
countries. The renewable energy sources like wind energy, solar energy, biomass energy and fuel cell technology can be
used to overcome energy shortage in India. To meet the energy requirement for such a fast growing economy, India will
require an assured supply of 3–4 times more energy than the total energy consumed today. The renewable energy is one
of the options to meet this requirement. India is increasingly adopting responsible renewable energy techniques and
taking positive steps towards carbon emissions, cleaning the air and ensuring a more sustainable future. In India, from
the last two and half decades there has been a vigorous pursuit of activities relating to research, development,
demonstration, production and application of a variety of renewable energy technologies for use in different sectors. In
this paper, efforts have been made to summarize the availability, current status, major achievements and future
potentials of renewable energy options in India. The paper deals with the demand of electricity in India also.