44
2.10 Role of Green Energy
The total installed capacity in India is 3,63,369.59 MW as on 30.09.2019 (CEA
2019). According to IBEF (2017–2018), India is the third largest producer and
world’s largest consumer of electricity. Contribution of different power sources are
summarized in Fig. 2.14. Thermal power contributes approximately 63.2% of the
total electricity production in India and nearly 90% of thermal power is sourced
from coal based thermal power plant. As discussed earlier (Sect. 2.2.1.1), energy
sector, more specifically thermal power, accounts for 68.7% of CO 2 emission in
2014. Thermal power plant also increases the concentration of particulate matter
and sulphur dioxide in the air due to burning of coal and other fossil fuels.
The only way to reduce the carbon footprint is the use of green energy. Green
energy is generated from natural sources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, plants,
algae and geothermal heat and has little impact on the environment. Presently, India
produces 35.3% of renewable energy through hydropower projects, solar power,
wind power project, etc. India is ranked fourth in wind power, fifth in solar power
and fifth in total renewable power generation in the world in 2018 (MNRE 2018).
Green energy is a sustainable source of energy and helps to reduce global warming
by keeping atmosphere clean and reducing the carbon footprint. India has received
14.22 billion USD from FDI inflows between April 2000 and December 2018 in the
power sector to develop renewable power sources (IBEF 2019).
RES* = Renewable
Energy Sources include
small hydro project,
biomass power,
biomass gasifier, Solar
& wind energy, urban
& industrial waste
power
Indian Power Sector
C oa l
RES *
G a s
L ig
n it e
T h e rm a l
p o w e r
N o n -
R e n e w
a b le
E n e rg y
R e n e w
a b le
E n e rg y
H
yd
ro
po
w
er
Fig. 2.14 Different Sources of Indian Power Sector (Source: CEA 2019)
P. K. Sikdar and S. Basu
2.10 Role of Green Energy
The total installed capacity in India is 3,63,369.59 MW as on 30.09.2019 (CEA
2019). According to IBEF (2017–2018), India is the third largest producer and
world’s largest consumer of electricity. Contribution of different power sources are
summarized in Fig. 2.14. Thermal power contributes approximately 63.2% of the
total electricity production in India and nearly 90% of thermal power is sourced
from coal based thermal power plant. As discussed earlier (Sect. 2.2.1.1), energy
sector, more specifically thermal power, accounts for 68.7% of CO 2 emission in
2014. Thermal power plant also increases the concentration of particulate matter
and sulphur dioxide in the air due to burning of coal and other fossil fuels.
The only way to reduce the carbon footprint is the use of green energy. Green
energy is generated from natural sources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, plants,
algae and geothermal heat and has little impact on the environment. Presently, India
produces 35.3% of renewable energy through hydropower projects, solar power,
wind power project, etc. India is ranked fourth in wind power, fifth in solar power
and fifth in total renewable power generation in the world in 2018 (MNRE 2018).
Green energy is a sustainable source of energy and helps to reduce global warming
by keeping atmosphere clean and reducing the carbon footprint. India has received
14.22 billion USD from FDI inflows between April 2000 and December 2018 in the
power sector to develop renewable power sources (IBEF 2019).
RES* = Renewable
Energy Sources include
small hydro project,
biomass power,
biomass gasifier, Solar
& wind energy, urban
& industrial waste
power
Indian Power Sector
C oa l
RES *
G a s
L ig
n it e
T h e rm a l
p o w e r
N o n -
R e n e w
a b le
E n e rg y
R e n e w
a b le
E n e rg y
H
yd
ro
po
w
er
Fig. 2.14 Different Sources of Indian Power Sector (Source: CEA 2019)
P. K. Sikdar and S. Basu