Smart Governance
RenewableEnergy
Author
Dr Samir Kapur Author is
skilled training and development coach
and is a visiting faculty, with over 2
decades of experience, at leading
institutes.
All set for sun rise
R
enewable energy has been
an important component
of India’s energy planning.
The importance of renewable
energy sources in the transition
to a sustainable energy base was
recognized in the early 1970s.
Modern renewable energy is being
used increasingly in four distinct
markets: power generation, heating
and cooling, transport, and rural/off-
grid energy services.
The Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy (MNRE) in India has been
facilitating the implementation of
broad spectrum programs including
harnessing renewable power,
renewable energy for rural areas
for lighting, cooking and motive
power, use of renewable energy in
urban, industrial and commercial
applications and development of
alternate fuels and applications. In
addition, it supports research, design
and development of new and renewable
energy technologies, products and
services. The approach for deployment
of new and renewable energy systems
focused on a mix of subsidy, fiscal
incentives, preferential tariffs,
market mechanism and affirmative
action such as renewable purchase
obligations by way of legislation
and policies. Financial support has
also been extended to research and
development (R&D), information &
publicity and other support programs.
Renewable energy plays an important
role in the long-term energy supply
security, diversification of energy mix,
energy access, environmental security
and sustainability. Renewable energy
is bound to play an increasing role in
future energy systems.
Historically, there has been
a correlation between real GDP
growth and energy demand, and
we believe that the Indian economy
will continue to experience a rise in
energy demand. India’s overall GDP
and energy demand have increased
significantly over the past several
years primarily due to population
growth, rapid industrialization and
rising standards of living. Energy
supply, however, has been unable to
keep pace with this growing demand,
which has resulted in a persistent
demand/supply mismatch and an
average energy deficit of 8.3% in the
last decade.
Last year has seen a paradigm
shift in the way India’s economy
will function by focusing on laying
the infrastructure for widespread
inclusion of all economic activity on
the digital platform. Power sector
plays a vital role in the growth of
Indian economy and it is growing
17 | May 2018 | www.smartgovernance.in