Leveraging Bioenergy to Revitalise Indian Economy

From the early use of fire and animal power that improved lives, to the present world with use of electricity and cleaner sustainable fuels for a multitude of purposes - energy has been the enabler of development.

- RAVINDRA BORATKAR

Energy is a fundamental need ranging from, but not limited to, essentials such as cooking, heating, cooling, lighting, mobility, and operation of appliances, to information and communications technology, and machines in every sector of every country. The lack of access to reliable and clean energy supplies is now considered as a major barrier to improving human well-being around the globe. In fact, growing energy demand is linked to the development and growth of society and country. By understanding our strengths and weaknesses, India can emerge as the key player in the growing bioenergy sector.

When we celebrate the centenary of our independence in 2047, our energy needs are going to grow 2.5 times. Most of the current energy requirements are fulfilled using fossil fuels and coal, polluting the environment and adding to the national economic burden. At present 70 per cent of our energy demand is met mainly by coal and oil. Our crude oil imports touched 21.8 million tonnes (MT) in May 2024 provisionally, a growth of 2 per cent M-0-M and 6 per cent Y-o-Y, according to Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) data. Prior to this, India imported an all-time high of 21.6 MT in April 2022 followed by 21.5 MT in January 2024 and 21.4 MT in April this year.

Despite being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, India's annual per capita carbon emission is only about one-third of the global average. India achieved most targets of the first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the heart of the Paris Agreement, well in advance. The country achieved 40 per cent cumulative electrical power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources in 2021 and reduced the emission intensity of India's GDP from 2005 levels by 33 per cent in 2019- nine and eleven years before the target year of 2030, respectively, as per the Economic Survey 2023-24.

Shifting to Alternative Energy