Sustainable and renewable energy sources are a crucial strategic national resource. Creating environment friendly development programmes is one of the most challenging tasks for most modern governments. Harnessing sustainable energy resources becomes important while planning for energy programmes. And hence, meeting the nation's energy requirements is high on the agenda of any government. Renewable energy sources contribute to a nation's sustainable growth trajectory, in addition to protecting the environment, promoting investment and conserving ecology.
India, like most other countries, has a very high dependence on fossilized fuels for its energy requirements. The other major energy source is coal. It is generally accepted that fossilized fuels are liable to be exhausted as they are not replenishable. And, thermal plants are highly polluting. At the same time, the need for energy is increasing at an alarming rate. Whether it is industrial energy, household energy or vehicular energy, the demand is more than the capacity. Hence the need of the hour is increased energy supply, which is replenishable and at the same time does not damage the environment.
India's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions centre around promotion of clean energy, especially renewable energy; enhancement of energy efficiency; safe, smart and sustainable green transportation network; abatement of pollution and India's efforts to enhance carbon sink through creation of forest and tree cover. Solar energy, bio-gas, geo-thermal energy and ocean energy are some clean energy sources that may help mitigate the ill-effects of environmental pollution. While energy harnessed from oceans is still in a nascent stage in India, geothermal energy seems a more viable renewable energy technology that has the potential to provide clean energy for both electric power production and direct heat applications.
