in India for reasons of widespread and easy availability; these sources are more
efficient in comparison to other renewable sources of energy. Better technology and
widespread awareness regarding renewable energy will help to reduce GHG in the
atmosphere, which will also result in a better and healthy environment for the present
populations.
Energy Status of India
The utilization of energy for various activities in India has been reported from
ancient times. People have learned to use biomass energy for cooking food, light,
and heat. A recently published report stated the total energy production capacity in
India is approximately 3254.15 billion kWh. Of this total, ~2287.57 billion kWh
(~70.3%) of energy is produced through consumption of fossil fuel, ~64.44 kWh
(~1.98%) by nuclear power plants, ~386.63 kWh (~11.88%) by hydroelectric power
plants, and ~515.51 kWh (~15.84%) through renewable energy (Table 1.1, Fig. 1.1).
In comparison to European countries, India consumed more fossil fuel to fulfill
the energy requirements of the people (Table 1.1), possibly because India has a large
population. Details of energy consumption and production as compared between
India and European countries are given in Table 1.1 and Fig. 1.2, indicating India
needs a massive effort to achieve sustainable growth in energy. The consumption of
energy in India, approximately 2,405.82 kWh per capita, is much lower than the per
capita energy consumption in European countries, approximately 16,542.38 kWh
(Table 1.1). This difference in energy consumption observed between European and
Indian society includes both urban and rural populations. Gujarat contributed
approximately 25.04% (36,956 MW), Karnataka approximately 13.08%
(19,315 MW), and Tamil Nadu approximately 11.17% (16,483 MW) of total
renewable energy. The report indicated that access to electricity has increased
from about 67% (2010) to about 80% (2020) of the population.
The high consumption of fossil fuel can be minimized through heavy taxation on
crude oil, vehicles, and road tax to reduce unnecessary movements of people and
Table 1.1 Summary of energy consumption and production in India
Energy source
Total in India
(billion kWh)
Percentage
in India (%)
Percentage in
Europe (%)
Per capita in
India (kWh)
Per capita in
Europe (kWh)
Fossil fuels
2287.57
70.3
49.2
1691.22
8125.79
Nuclear
power
64.44
1.98
7
47.64
1155.77
Hydroelectric
power
386.63
11.88
24.1
285.84
3982.3
Renewable
energy
515.51
15.84
19.7
381.12
3278.52
Total production capacity
3254.15
100
100
2405.82
16542.38
8
S. K. Srivastava
efficient in comparison to other renewable sources of energy. Better technology and
widespread awareness regarding renewable energy will help to reduce GHG in the
atmosphere, which will also result in a better and healthy environment for the present
populations.
Energy Status of India
The utilization of energy for various activities in India has been reported from
ancient times. People have learned to use biomass energy for cooking food, light,
and heat. A recently published report stated the total energy production capacity in
India is approximately 3254.15 billion kWh. Of this total, ~2287.57 billion kWh
(~70.3%) of energy is produced through consumption of fossil fuel, ~64.44 kWh
(~1.98%) by nuclear power plants, ~386.63 kWh (~11.88%) by hydroelectric power
plants, and ~515.51 kWh (~15.84%) through renewable energy (Table 1.1, Fig. 1.1).
In comparison to European countries, India consumed more fossil fuel to fulfill
the energy requirements of the people (Table 1.1), possibly because India has a large
population. Details of energy consumption and production as compared between
India and European countries are given in Table 1.1 and Fig. 1.2, indicating India
needs a massive effort to achieve sustainable growth in energy. The consumption of
energy in India, approximately 2,405.82 kWh per capita, is much lower than the per
capita energy consumption in European countries, approximately 16,542.38 kWh
(Table 1.1). This difference in energy consumption observed between European and
Indian society includes both urban and rural populations. Gujarat contributed
approximately 25.04% (36,956 MW), Karnataka approximately 13.08%
(19,315 MW), and Tamil Nadu approximately 11.17% (16,483 MW) of total
renewable energy. The report indicated that access to electricity has increased
from about 67% (2010) to about 80% (2020) of the population.
The high consumption of fossil fuel can be minimized through heavy taxation on
crude oil, vehicles, and road tax to reduce unnecessary movements of people and
Table 1.1 Summary of energy consumption and production in India
Energy source
Total in India
(billion kWh)
Percentage
in India (%)
Percentage in
Europe (%)
Per capita in
India (kWh)
Per capita in
Europe (kWh)
Fossil fuels
2287.57
70.3
49.2
1691.22
8125.79
Nuclear
power
64.44
1.98
7
47.64
1155.77
Hydroelectric
power
386.63
11.88
24.1
285.84
3982.3
Renewable
energy
515.51
15.84
19.7
381.12
3278.52
Total production capacity
3254.15
100
100
2405.82
16542.38
8
S. K. Srivastava